[Neuropsychological and psychosocial findings in follow-up of cervical vertebrae dislocations: a prospective clinical study].

Abstract

A non-selected sample of 117 common whiplash patients was examined shortly after experiencing trauma (mean = 7.4 days, SD = 4.2) and six months later with regard to neuropsychological performance and psychosocial stress. Neuropsychological examination comprised an assessment of various levels of complexity of attentional processes. Further, subjective complaints, subjective headache and neck pain intensity, utilized medication and self-ratings of well-being and cognitive impairment were recorded. In addition, patients were assessed with regard to personal history of psychosocial stress and personality traits (e.g. neuroticism, depression). At six-month examination, 81 patients subjectively were fully recovered, whereas 36 patients reported persisting symptoms. Symptomatic patients were older, showed more symptoms at baseline and a higher intensity of headache and neck pain, and had a higher subjective cognitive impairment. At both, baseline and six-month examination, no significant statistical differences between the asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were found with regard to cognitive performance. However, performance of symptomatic group in a test of divided attention was pathological at baseline. Additionally, symptomatic group showed a delayed recovery of cognitive functioning, which could be explained--at least in part--by utilized medication and the higher age. This change of cognitive equilibrium could account for these patients' cognitive problems in daily life.