Citation

Sullivan MJ, Adams H, Martel MO, Scott W, Wideman T. Spine 2011; 36(25 Suppl): S244-9.

Affiliation

McGill University McGill University Health Centre McGill University McGill University McGill University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182387fed

PMID

22020619

Abstract

Study Design. The paper will summarize research that has supported the role of pain catastrophizing and perceived injustice as risk factors for problematic recovery following whiplash injury.Objective. This paper focuses on two psychological variables that have been shown to impact on recovery trajectories following whiplash injury; namely pain catastrophizing and perceived injustice.Summary of Background Data. Research has shown that psychological variables play a role in determining the trajectory of recovery following whiplash injury.Methods. This paper will focus on two psychological variables that has been shown to impact on recovery trajectories following whiplash injury; namely pain catastrophizing and perceived injustice. The paper will summarize research that has supported the role of pain catastrophizing and perceived injustice as risk factors for problematic recovery following whiplash injury.Results. Several investigations have shown that measures of catastrophizing and perceived injustice prospectively predict problematic trajectories of recovery following whiplash injury. Basic research points to the potential roles of expectancies, attention, coping and endogenous opioid dysregulation as possible avenues through which catastrophizing might heighten the probability of the persistence of pain following whiplash injury. Although research has yet to systematically address the mechanisms by which perceived injustice might contribute to prolonged disability in individuals with whiplash injuries, there are grounds for suggesting the potential contributions of catastrophizing, pain behaviour and anger.Conclusion. A challenge for future research will be the development and evaluation of risk-factor targeted interventions aimed at reducing catastrophizing and perceived injustice in order to improve recovery trajectories following whiplash injury.

Language: en