Cognitive functioning after common whiplash. A controlled follow-up study
B. P. Radanov, G. Di Stefano, A. Schnidrig, M. Sturzenegger and K. F. Augustiny
Department of Psychiatry, University of Berne, Switzerland.
A random sample of 98 patients with common whiplash was examined early
after trauma (mean +/- SD, 7.3 +/- 3.9 days) and again 6 months later.
Cognitive functioning was assessed in conjunction with complaints, pain
intensity, well-being, subjective cognitive impairment, neuroticism, and
medication. At 6 months, 67 patients had fully recovered (asymptomatic
group), while 31 were still symptomatic (symptomatic group). Symptomatic
patients who were older at baseline, had a greater variety of symptoms,
higher neck pain intensity, and greater subjective cognitive impairment. At
baseline, both groups scored poorly on tests requiring complex attentional
processing. All neuropsychological functions improved to normal at 6 months
in both groups. This improvement cannot be explained by a practice effect,
as shown by the results of normal volunteers. The symptomatic group showed
delayed recovery regarding complex attentional functioning, which may be
related to adverse effects of medication.
