Neuromuscular Mechanisms Underlying Poor Recovery From Whiplash Injuries
| Status: | Active, not recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Other Indications, Hospital |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 65 |
| Updated: | 3/15/2019 |
| Start Date: | July 2014 |
| End Date: | July 2019 |
This study is investigating whether changes in the shape and size of bodily muscles and
spinal cord anatomy can influence recovery rates following a motor vehicle collision (MVC).
The objective is to demonstrate that the presence of muscle and spinal cord degeneration and
associated muscle weakness is the consequence of a mild MVC-related injury involving the
cervical spinal cord.
spinal cord anatomy can influence recovery rates following a motor vehicle collision (MVC).
The objective is to demonstrate that the presence of muscle and spinal cord degeneration and
associated muscle weakness is the consequence of a mild MVC-related injury involving the
cervical spinal cord.
Whiplash is a condition that consists of patients that display varying degrees of pain and
disability. Most patients should expect full-recovery within the first 2-3 months post
injury. At the other end of the spectrum is a group of patients (~ 25%) who continue to have
moderate-severe pain-related disability in the long-term. Reasons for this transition to
chronicity are largely unknown. The situation would benefit if there were radiological
findings of the disorder. However, clear and consistent findings of injured tissues on
standard radiological exams remain elusive.
As part of this study, the investigators will innovatively investigate measures to 1)
quantify the temporal development of widespread muscle degeneration, 2) identify quantifiable
markers of altered cervical spinal cord physiology, 3) quantify reductions in central
activation and fatigue 4) evaluate potential genetic variants that may be associated with
chronic pain after a MVC and 5) determine the mediational influence of psychosocial factors
on recovery rates following whiplash injury, as a potential mechanism underlying the
transition to chronic pain.
disability. Most patients should expect full-recovery within the first 2-3 months post
injury. At the other end of the spectrum is a group of patients (~ 25%) who continue to have
moderate-severe pain-related disability in the long-term. Reasons for this transition to
chronicity are largely unknown. The situation would benefit if there were radiological
findings of the disorder. However, clear and consistent findings of injured tissues on
standard radiological exams remain elusive.
As part of this study, the investigators will innovatively investigate measures to 1)
quantify the temporal development of widespread muscle degeneration, 2) identify quantifiable
markers of altered cervical spinal cord physiology, 3) quantify reductions in central
activation and fatigue 4) evaluate potential genetic variants that may be associated with
chronic pain after a MVC and 5) determine the mediational influence of psychosocial factors
on recovery rates following whiplash injury, as a potential mechanism underlying the
transition to chronic pain.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Males and Females (18 - 65 years of age)
- Individuals less than one week post MVA with a primary complaint of neck pain.
- Able to give written informed consent and complete interviews in English
Exclusion Criteria:
- Individuals with a spinal fracture from the MVA, or spinal surgeries
- History of one or more MVAs or previous diagnosis of cervical or lumbar radiculopathy
- History of neurological disorders (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, previous stroke,
myelopathy), inflammatory diseases (e.g. Hepatitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,
Rheumatoid Arthritis or Osteoarthritis, Alzheimers, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Crohn's
disease, Fibromyalgia) or metabolic disorders (e.g. Diabetes, hyper- and
hypo-thyroidism)
- Standard contraindications to MRI: claustrophobia, metallic implants, pacemaker and
pregnancy.
We found this trial at
1
site
303 East Superior Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Principal Investigator: James M Elliott, PhD
Phone: 312-503-1820
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