Article

Both sensory hypersensitivity and hypoaesthesia are features of chronic whiplash
associated disorders (WAD). Sensory hypersensitivity is not a consistent feature
of chronic idiopathic (non-traumatic) neck pain but the presence of hypoaesthesia
has not been investigated. This study compared the somatosensory phenotype of
whiplash and idiopathic neck pain. Comprehensive Quantitative Sensory Testing
(QST) including both detection and pain thresholds as well as psychological
distress were measured in 50 participants with chronic WAD, 28 participants with
chronic idiopathic neck pain and 31 healthy controls. The whiplash group
demonstrated lowered pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) at all sites compared to the
controls (p<0.01) but there was no difference between the two neck pain groups
(p>0.05) except at the tibialis anterior site (p=0.02). The whiplash group
demonstrated lowered cold pain thresholds compared to idiopathic and control
groups (p<0.03). For detection thresholds, the whiplash group showed elevated
vibration (p<0.04), heat (p<0.02) and electrical (p<0.04) thresholds at all upper
limb sites compared to the idiopathic neck pain group and the controls (p<0.04).
Sensory hypoesthesia whilst present in chronic whiplash is not a feature of
chronic idiopathic neck pain. These findings indicate that different pain
processing mechanisms underlie these two neck pain conditions and may have
implications for their management.

Langue : ANGLAIS