Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Published on: September 21, 2017
Factors influencing neck pain intensity in whiplash-associated disorders
Lena W Holm1, Linda J Carroll, J David Cassidy
1Institute of Environmental Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Lena.Holm@ki.se
Study Design:
Cohort study of subjects with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).
Objective:
To assess the association between preinjury factors and neck pain intensity within 30 days after a motor vehicle collision.
Summary Of Background Data:
Neck pain is the main symptom in WAD. There are studies of nonspecific musculoskeletal pain suggesting that pain intensity can be modified by psychologic, personal, or social factors, but, to our knowledge, no studies have investigated the association between such factors and neck pain intensity in WAD.
Methods:
The subjects (n = 5970) either filed a claim or were treated for neck pain within 30 days after a collision. Neck pain intensity was measured on the visual analog scale.
Results:
Fair or poor health before the collision was associated with severe neck pain in females (odds ratio 4.0, 95% confidence interval 1.8-8.9). Other associated factors in females included low education and prior neck pain. Low family income was associated with severe neck pain in males (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.5-3.4), as was prior headache and being unaware of the head position at the time of collision.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that neck pain intensity in WAD seems to be influenced by several factors other than characteristics related to the injury event itself.
Related Concept Videos
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Muscles that Move the Head
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
