Background & Aims
Neck pain experienced after a motor vehicle crash (MVC) is usually termed ‘whiplash injury’ or ‘whiplash-associated disorder’ [1-2]. The term ‘whiplash’ is controversial due to perceived connotations that it may trigger negative thoughts and potentially influence recovery expectations [3-6]. Previous studies suggest that diagnostic labels for non-traumatic shoulder, low back, and hip pain influence people’s beliefs in managing the condition [7-10]. However, the influence of diagnostic labelling on recovery expectations and management preferences for traumatic neck pain following a MVC remains unclear.
This study aimed to (1) investigate whether different labels for neck pain following a MVC influence people’s recovery expectations and management beliefs (e.g. intention to make a claim), (2) understand reasons when recovery expectations are low and claim is intended, and (3) explore the moderating effects of neck pain status and sociodemographic characteristics.
Methods
This was an online-randomised, five-arm, parallel group experiment with a nested qualitative content analysis. 2,229 general public participants (age: 46.7 years [SD: 15.5]; 72.4% females; 66% reported previous or current neck pain) read a scenario describing a patient with neck pain following a MVC. The scenario used one of the five labels to describe the neck pain: whiplash injury, whiplash-associated disorder, post-traumatic neck pain, neck pain, and neck strain. Participants rated (0-10): recovery expectations (primary outcome), need for a second opinion, need for imaging, avoidance of work and physical activity, need for intensive treatments, perceived injury seriousness, anxiety about the given diagnosis, and intention to lodge a claim. Participants with lower recovery expectations (scored 0-5) and greater claim likelihood (scored 3-10) provided free-text responses about their reasons.
Results
Participants allocated to whiplash-associated disorder or neck pain labels had lower recovery expectations than those allocated to neck strain (adjusted mean difference [95%CI]: -0.5 [-0.9 to -0.1] for both comparisons). Participants assigned to whiplash-associated disorder more frequently expressed uncertainty about achieving full recovery while participants assigned to neck pain most commonly questioned the healthcare provider’s approach. There were also differences between labels in perceived need to avoid physical activity, receive intensive treatments and a second opinion, perceived injury seriousness and claim intentions. Participants allocated to the neck strain label felt less need for healthcare financial support and were less inclined to claim than those allocated to whiplash-associated disorder or whiplash injury. Neck pain status and household income moderated the labelling effects on recovery expectations and claim intentions, respectively. However, all effects were small.
Conclusions
Labels for neck pain after a MVC influence people’s recovery expectations and management preferences, but as the effects of diagnostic labels on these features were small, they may have little clinical relevance.
References
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[7] Haber T, Hall M, Dobson F, Lawford BJ, McManus F, Lamb KE, et al. Effects of Hip Pain Diagnostic Labels and Their Explanations on Beliefs About Hip Pain and How to Manage It: An Online Randomized Controlled Trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(11):673-84.
[8] O’Keeffe M, Ferreira GE, Harris IA, Darlow B, Buchbinder R, Traeger AC, et al. Effect of diagnostic labelling on management intentions for non-specific low back pain: A randomized scenario-based experiment. Eur J Pain. 2022;26(7):1532-45.
[9] Zadro JR, O’Keeffe M, Ferreira GE, Haas R, Harris IA, Buchbinder R, et al. Diagnostic Labels for Rotator Cuff Disease Can Increase People’s Perceived Need for Shoulder Surgery: An Online Randomized Controlled Trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(8):401-11.
[10] Zadro JR, O’Keeffe M, Ferreira GE, Traeger AC, Gamble AR, Page R, et al. Diagnostic labels and advice for rotator cuff disease influence perceived need for shoulder surgery: an online randomised experiment. J Physiother. 2022;68(4):269-76.
Presenting Author
Yanfei Xie
Poster Authors
Yanfei Xie (PhD)
PhD
RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
Lead Author
Nathalia Costa (PhD)
Lead Author
Anne Söderlund (PhD)
Lead Author
Joshua Zadro (PhD)
The University of Sydney
Lead Author
Eva-Maj Malmström
Lead Author
Genevieve Grant (PhD)
Lead Author
Gwendolen Jull (PhD)
Lead Author
Hans Westergren (PhD)
Lead Author
Helge Kasch (PhD)
Lead Author
Joy MacDermid (PhD)
Lead Author
Julia Treleaven (PhD)
Lead Author
Michele Curatolo
University of Washington
Lead Author
Sophie Lykkegaard Ravn and PhD
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, DK
Lead Author
Tonny Andersen
University of Southern Denmark
Lead Author
Trudy Rebbeck
PhD
John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Lead Author
Michele Sterling
RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
Lead Author
Topics
- Specific Pain Conditions/Pain in Specific Populations: Neck Pain