Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation of the Accessory Nerve in Patients With Whiplash Injury

Effectiveness of Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation on the Accessory Nerve for Improving the Degree of Neck Disability in Patients With Whiplash Injury: a Randomised Clinical Trial

This study evaluates the improvement of patients with whiplash injury by comparing two statistical groups: a control group with exercise alone and an experimental group with exercise and percutaneous musculoskeletal neuromodulation of the accessory nerve. The following variables are evaluated: Neck Disability Index, VAS, cervical ROM, and algometry in the upper trapezius.

The inclusion criteria were as follows:

• Having suffered a traffic accident within a period not exceeding two weeks prior to the assessment.
• Diagnosed with Grade I or II Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) according to the Quebec Task Force (QTF).
• Being at least 18 years of age.
• Have a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score greater than 20 mm.
• Have a cervical disability greater than 10 points according to the NDI.

The exclusion criteria were as follows:

• Neck pain resulting from previous traffic accidents
• Conditions that may interfere with full participation (cardiovascular and neurological diseases and severe mental disorders)
• Treatment prior to starting the study
• Cervical surgery and congenital spinal disorders
• Fractures and dislocations of the neck vertebrae
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Allergies to metals
• Belonephobia