Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2006 Apr;60(4):387-93.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2005.08.016.

The relationship between sensory and sympathetic nervous system changes and posttraumatic stress reaction following whiplash injury--a prospective study

Michele Sterling  1 , Justin Kenardy
Affiliations

The relationship between sensory and sympathetic nervous system changes and posttraumatic stress reaction following whiplash injury--a prospective study

Michele Sterling et al. J Psychosom Res. 2006 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate differences in sensory and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) function between whiplash-injured persons with and without a posttraumatic stress reaction (PTSR). To explore associations between sensory, SNS function, and persistent PTSR at 6 months postinjury.

Methods: Seventy-six acutely (<1 month) whiplash-injured persons (10 with PTSR persisting to 6 months postinjury, 14 with early PTSR that resolved, and 52 with no PTSR) were prospectively investigated.

Results: Those with persistent PTSR showed sensory hypersensitivity and impaired peripheral vasoconstriction compared to those whose PTSR resolved and those without PTSR (P<.05). The early presence of sensory hypersensitivity was associated with PTSR at 6 months, but this relationship was mediated by pain and disability levels. Impaired vasoconstriction and higher pain and disability levels were associated with PTSR at 6 months.

Conclusion: Sensory disturbances following whiplash injury are associated with persistent PTSR but may be mediated by levels of pain and disability.

PubMed Disclaimer

Publication types