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A Psychosocial Risk Factor–Targeted Intervention for the Prevention of Chronic Pain and Disability Following Whiplash Injury

MJL Sullivan, PhD, is Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, CP 6128 Succ. Centre Ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3J7
H Adams, RWS, is Program Coordinator, Department of Psychology, University of Montreal
T Rhodenizer, OT, is Occupational Therapist, University Centre for Research on Pain and Disability, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
WD Stanish, MD, is Professor, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

(michael.jl.sullivan{at}umontreal.ca). Address all correspondence to Dr Sullivan

Background and Purpose. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of a psychosocial intervention improved return-to-work rates beyond those associated with participation in a functional restoration physical therapy intervention. Subjects who had sustained whiplash injuries participated in the Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP), which is a 10-week psychosocial intervention program that aims to increase activity involvement and minimize psychological barriers to rehabilitation progress.

Subjects and Methods. A sample of 60 subjects enrolled in a functional restoration physical therapy intervention were used as a historical cohort comparison group. Subjects who received the functional restoration physical therapy intervention were compared with a sample of 70 subjects who received PGAP in addition to physical therapy.

Results. Participation in PGAP plus physical therapy resulted in a higher return-to-work rate (75%) than participation in physical therapy alone (50%). Differences between treatment conditions were most pronounced for the subgroup of subjects who had the largest number of psychosocial risk factors. Discussion and Conclusion. The findings suggest that a psychosocial risk reduction intervention can be an effective means of improving function and facilitating return to work in people who are at risk for prolonged pain-related disability. [Sullivan MJL, Adams H, Rhodenizer T, Stanish WD. A psychosocial risk factor–targeted intervention for the prevention of chronic pain and disability following whiplash injury.

Key Words: Pain-related disability • Psychosocial risk factors • Whiplash

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