A systematic literature review of psychological factors and the development of late whiplash syndrome
- 1 March 2008
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Pain
- Vol. 135 (1), 20-30
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2007.04.035
Abstract
This systematic literature review aims to assess the prognostic value of psychological factors in the development of late whiplash syndrome (LWS). We included prospective cohort studies that provided a baseline measure of at least one psychological variable and used outcome measures relating to LWS (i.e. pain or disability persisting 6 months post injury). A search of electronic databases (Pubmed, Medline, Cinahl, Embase and Psychinfo) up to August 2006 was done using a predetermined search strategy. Methodological quality was assessed independently by two assessors. Data extraction were carried out using a standardised data extraction form. Twenty-five articles representing data from 17 cohorts were included. Fourteen articles were rated as low quality with 11 rated as adequate quality. Meta-analysis was not undertaken due to the heterogeneity of prognostic factors, outcome measures and methods used. Results were tabulated and predefined criterion applied to rate the overall strength of evidence for associations between psychological factors and LWS. Data on 21 possible psychological risk factors were included. The majority of findings were inconclusive. Limited evidence was found to support an association between lower self-efficacy and greater post-traumatic stress with the development of LWS. No association was found between the development of LWS and personality traits, general psychological distress, wellbeing, social support, life control and psychosocial work factors. The lack of conclusive findings and poor methodological quality of the studies reviewed highlights the need for better quality research. Self-efficacy and post-traumatic distress may be associated with the development of LWS but this needs further investigation.Keywords
This publication has 38 references indexed in Scilit:
- Spine biomechanicsJournal of Biomechanics, 2005
- Prognostic factors for poor recovery in acute whiplash patientsPain, 2005
- Coping as a Mediating Factor Between Self-Efficacy and Disability in Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD)Journal of Whiplash & Related Disorders, 2002
- Acute whiplash-associated disorders (WAD): the effects of early mobilization and prognostic factors in long-term symptomatologyClinical Rehabilitation, 2000
- Cognitive function and distress after common whiplash injuryActa Neurologica Scandinavica, 1997
- A prospective study of 39 patients with whiplash injuryActa Neurologica Scandinavica, 1997
- Course of attention and memory after common whiplash: a two-years prospective study with age, education and gender pair-matched patientsActa Neurologica Scandinavica, 1995
- Common whiplash: psychosomatic or somatopsychic?Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 1994
- Role of self-efficacy in rehabilitation outcome among chronic low back pain patients.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1993
- Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change.Psychological Review, 1977