Clinical response of human subjects to rear-end automobile collisions

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Brault, John R.¹; Wheeler, Jeffrey B.¹; Siegmund, Gunter P.²; Brault, Elaine J.¹

Clinical response of human subjects to rear-end automobile collisions

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. January 1998;79(1):72-80

©1998 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Affiliations

¹Biomechanics Research & Consulting, Inc., El Segundo, CA, USA

²MacInnis Engineering Associates, Ltd., Richmond, BC, Canada
Abstract

Objective: Forty-two persons were exposed to controlled low-speed rear-end automobile collisions to assess the relation between both gender and impact severity and the presence, severity, and duration of whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). Individual measures were also assessed for their potential to predict the onset of WAD.

Design: Experimental study subjecting individuals to a speed change of 4km/h and 8km/h and utilizing pretest and posttest physical examinations (immediately after and 24 hours after impact) to quantify subjects' clinical response.

Results: Approximately 29% and 38% of the subjects exposed to the 4km/h and 8km/h speed changes, respectively, experienced WAD symptoms, with cervical symptoms and headaches predominating. Objective clinical deficits consistent with WAD were measured in both men and women subjects at both 4km/h and 8km/h. At 4km/h, the duration of symptoms experienced by women was significantly longer when compared with that in men (p < .05). There were no significant differences in the presence and severity of WAD between men and women at 4km/h and 8km/h or in the duration of WAD at 8km/h. There was also no significant difference in the presence, severity, and duration of WAD between 4km/h and 8km/h. No preimpact measures were predictive of WAD.

Conclusion: The empirical findings in this study contribute to establishing a causal relationship between rear-end collisions and clinical signs and symptoms.
Links

DOI: 10.1016/S0003-9993(98)90212-X

PubMed: 9440422

WoS: 000071389600017
History

Received: 1997-05-21

Accepted: 1997-08-08

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