Effects of myofascial technique in patients with subacute whiplash associated disorders: a pilot study

Background. Whiplash associated disorders commonly affect people after a motor vehicle accident, causing a variety of disabling manifestations. Some manual and physical approaches have been proposed to improve myofascial function after traumatic injuries, in order to effectively reduce pain and functional limitation. Aim. To evaluate whether the application of the Fascia! Manipulation technique could be more effective than a conventional approach to improve cervical range of motion in patients with subacute whiplash associated disorders. Design. Pilot randomized clinical trial. Methods. Eighteen patients with subacute whiplash associated disorders were randomized into two groups. Group A (N.=9) received three, 30-minute sessions, (every five days during a two week period) of neck Fascial Manipulation. Group B (N.=9) received ten, 30-minute sessions (five days a week for two consecutive weeks) of neck exercises plus mobilization. Patients were evaluated before, immediately after and two weeks post-treatment. Primary outcome measures: cervical active range of motion (flexion, extension, right lateral-flexion, left lateral-flexion, right rotation, and left rotation). Results. A statistically significant improvement in neck flexion was found after treatment in favour of Group A (60.2 +/- 10.8 degrees) compared with Group B (46.3 +/- 15.1 degrees). No differences were found between groups for the other primary outcomes at post-treatment or follow-up. Conclusion. The Fascial Manipulation technique may be a promising method to improve cervical range of motion in patients with subacute whiplash associated disorders. Clinical Rehabilitation Impact. Myofascial techniques may be useful for improving treatment of subacute whiplash associated disorders also reducing their economic burden.