AN EVALUATION OF THE COMPLEX PROGRAMME OF REHABILITATION FOR THE PATIENTS WITH LATE ‘WHIPLASH’ SYNDROME FOLLOWING NECK INJURIES
Journal Title: Acta Neuropsychologica - Year 2013, Vol 11, Issue 4
Abstract
Worldwide there is still a search for modern methods for the rehabilitation of patients with late ‘whiplash’ syndrome following neck injuries; these being long-term patients of physiotherapy clinics and those involved with disability social security claims. The aim of the research was an evaluation of the effectiveness of a strategic approach to the problem, aimed at enhancing treatment with elements of Tai-Chi exercises in the course of a physiotherapy programme conducted on patients with late ‘whiplash’ syndrome following injury to the neck.The research encompassed 46 patients with late ‘whiplash’ syndrome following neck injury, undergoing physiotherapy treatment at the Krzeszowice Rehabilitation Centre; involving a complex programme of physiotherapy based on Microgenetic Theory, utilising a strategic goal directed approach. The patients were divided into two equal groups: an experimental one E (n=23) as well as a Control group C (n=23). In Group E elements of Tai-Chi exercises were additionally used within the framework of the experiment. The research methods involved documentation analysis, a clinical interview, neuropsychological screening tests, selected scales from the Life Quality Evaluation Test rated according to the FIM Scale. Two tests were conducted: before the commencement of rehabilitation and after 8 weeks of its duration. The structure of the points in 3 categories of psycho-physical comfort: chronic pain, sleep disorders and disturbance, and lowered (negative) mood in Test I was similar in all patients from the two groups and represents the appearance of psycho-physical discomfort. As a result of the rehabilitation conducted a difference in the improvement in psycho-physical comfort was obtained in both Group C and Group E across all the tested parameters of: chronic pain, sleep disturbance and mood control. The differences between the groups are statistically significant, to the benefit of Group E. The number of people from Group E that returned to work was almost four times larger than from Group C.Enhancing and supplementing a complex rehabilitation programme with elements of Tai-Chi increases, in a statistically significant way, the psycho-physical comfort of patients with late ‘whiplash’ syndrome following neck injury, through a reduction in pain, sleep disturbance as well as in mood improvement; this equally having an influence on the effectiveness of professional physiotherapy.
Authors and Affiliations
Wiesław Tomaszewski
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