EFFECTIVENESS OF A PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION FOR ACUTE AND SUBACUTE WHIPLASH SYNDROME INCLUDING ANALYTICAL JOINT MOBILIZATION DESCRIBED BY MAITLAND

Abstract

Objective: the aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of a physiotherapy treatment which combines the application of an analytical joint mobilization technique developed by Maitland with a protocol of techniques used in the center where this study is developed. Material and method: randomized clinical trial with two intervention groups:
Control group was treated using thermotherapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain control, ultra-sounds, massage, stretching and active movement; and experimental group received the same treatment as control group by adding the cervical segmental mobilization, an articular technique developed by Maitland. This study was carried out in Clínica Almed (Cuenca) for November 2009 to April 2010. The sample consisted of 20 patients who were diagnosed with acute or subacute Whiplash Syndrome by a specialist. The patient’s ages varied from 18 to 50 years old, excluding those patients who suffered from osteoporosis, fractures, spinal dislocations or have been previously treated by a physiotherapist. Each intervention group had 10 subjects. The development has carried out in a total of 15 sessions per patient. The measured variables are pain, mobility and functionality, measured by using the Visual Analog Scale, angle measuring and Neck Disability Index, respectively. Statistical analysis was developed through a contrast of bilateral hypothesis, with a confidence interval of 95% and a statistical significance of 0,05, by using a T-Student to follow all the variables normally distributed. Results: the results for both intervention groups were statistically significant with a p < 0,002 in all variables. The comparison between control and experimental results were not statistically significant (p > 0,05), the most notable was the left rotation with p=0,05, and flexion with p = 0,079. Conclusions: both interventions are effective for Whiplash Syndrome there not being statistical differences between them. Analytical joint mobilization technique has not proven to be more effective in subjects with acute or subacute Whiplash Syndrome.