Key points
- People with recent whiplash injuries are needed for a clinical trial of new treatment techniques.
- Clinical psychologists are teaching physiotherapists how to treat patients for stressful psychological effects of a road traffic crash.
- Each year, more than 100,000 Australians experience a road traffic injury, and the majority - 75 per cent - are considered non-catastrophic neck and back injuries.
A new whiplash treatment program which involves clinical psychologists training physiotherapists in new techniques is seeking participants for a clinical trial.
Led by The University of Queensland, the StressModex (Stress Modulation and Exercise) program teaches physios how to treat both the physical whiplash injury, as well as the psychological effects of a road traffic crash.
Professor Michele Sterling from UQ's RECOVER Injury Research Centre within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences said people with neck or back pain from a road traffic crash within the past 3 months were encouraged to take part in the trial.
"This is a new approach to physiotherapy care for whiplash,'' Professor Sterling said.
"We know stress responses after a crash can influence physical recovery - this might include feeling anxious about driving again, heightened worry or tension after the collision, disrupted sleep, or concerns about returning to work and usual activities.
"The program includes techniques to help people better manage stress with relaxation skills, problem solving, coping skills and how they can improve their capacity to manage stress.
"For some people, these responses settle quickly, but for others they can contribute to ongoing symptoms and disability.
"Physiotherapists are specifically trained by clinical psychologists to recognise and respond to stress reactions that can occur after a crash - skills that are not traditionally included in physiotherapy training."
Whiplash is the most common injury after a road traffic crash and occurs when the neck is suddenly jolted forwards and backwards.
Each year, more than 100,000 Australians experience a road traffic injury, and the majority - 75 per cent - are considered non-catastrophic neck and back injuries.
Up to 50 per cent of people continue to experience pain and other symptoms beyond 3 months, highlighting the importance of identifying treatments that may improve recovery.
Recovery from whiplash can vary considerably between individuals, with physical, emotional and lifestyle factors all potentially playing a part.
The StressModex program has already been used to train 130 physiotherapists across 47 clinics in every Australian state and territory, who are now delivering the program in practice.
The 5-year Medical Research Future Fund trial will help researchers determine the effectiveness of online versus in-person training for physios.
Professor Sterling said she hoped the program could eventually be adopted globally.
"This is the first treatment in about 20 years that actually makes a difference to people's chances of not having ongoing chronic pain,'' she said.
"Our goal is to ensure more people receive effective treatment early after injury, reducing the risk of ongoing pain and helping them return to work, family life and the activities that matter to them.''
Information on the trial is available on the website.
