Cervical musculoskeletal, physical and psychological factors associated with ongoing dizziness in patients with whiplash associated disorder, 12 months after undertaking a neck specific or general exercise intervention

BACKGROUND: Exercise in the management of persistent whiplash often doesn’t specifically address dizziness. This study aimed to determine cervical musculoskeletal and sensorimotor measures, quality of life and psychological factors associated with the presence of dizziness in individuals with persistent whiplash 12 months post exercise intervention commencement. METHODS: A retrospective cross sectional review of questionnaires on dizziness, physical and psychological disability, quality of life and physical measures prospectively collected from 172 individuals during a randomised controlled trial. Associations between dizziness at 12 months post intervention and possible predictors was analysed with simple and multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Sixty-three % reported dizziness with a mean University of California Los Angeles dizziness score of 9 (SD 5) and dizziness intensity during activity of 26 mm (SD 24). They had poorer performance on sharpened Rhomberg, Neck muscle endurance (NME), and range of motion, elevated scores on pain, Neck disability index (NDI) and psychological and quality of life measures compared to those without dizziness. Less improvement in NDI and NME flexion from baseline to 12 months post exercise commencement, along with some baseline covariates were related to persistent dizziness and explained 50% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Dizziness following exercise at 12 months post follow-up was associated with lack of improvement in NDI and NME flexion suggesting a cervicogenic role. Alternatively, the presence of dizziness may inhibit exercise response. Additional causes or contributing factors of dizziness should be investigated in those with persistent whiplash to improve quality of life.