REHABILITATION AFTER WHIPLASH INJURY – THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THERAPEUTIC METHODS IN LIGHT OF CLINICAL RESEARCH

Urszula Marzec; Piotr Bartnik; Magdalena Pietrzak; Katarzyna Czechowicz; Aleksandra Bilińska; Ewa Gloc; Rafał Ejsner; Daniel Załęski; Agnieszka Giza; Eliza Rajca

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5082

Authors

Urszula Marzec Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński Provincial Specialist Hospital SPZOZ in Lublin, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6348-184X
Piotr Bartnik Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński Provincial Specialist Hospital SPZOZ in Lublin, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5771-3127
Magdalena Pietrzak Department of Internal Medicine, Independent Public Health Care Facility, Łęczna, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5228-0829
Katarzyna Czechowicz Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński Provincial Specialist Hospital SPZOZ in Lublin, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0414-4531
Aleksandra Bilińska Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8833-6934
Ewa Gloc Bonifrater Medical Center in Lodz, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4293-750X
Rafał Ejsner Dr. Karol Jonscher Municipal Medical Center, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0983-2114
Daniel Załęski Baptism of Poland Memorial Hospital in Gniezno, Gniezno, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0449-363X
Agnieszka Giza Independent Public Hospital No. 4 in Lublin, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5741-3482
Eliza Rajca Wojewódzki Szpital Zespolony, Kielce, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6024-4298

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5082

Keywords:

Whiplash-Associated Disorders, Rehabilitation, Exercise Therapy, Multimodal Interventions, Neck Pain

Abstract

Background: Whiplash–associated disorders (WAD) are frequently associated with cervical spine injuries in motor vehicle collisions. Patients commonly experience persistent pain, reduced function, and diminished quality of life. Optimal rehabilitation procedures are still contested.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the benefits offered by rehabilitation strategies such as exercise therapy, manual therapy, multimodal programs, psychological interventions, and patient education in WAD.

Methods: A review of scientific articles published in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus on studies published from 2003 until 2023.

Results: Short-term pain and function improved consistently with exercise therapy. Manual therapy offered modest short-term improvement, especially with exercise. Overall, multimodal programs that included exercise, manual therapy, education, and psychological interventions showed better outcomes in pain, function, and quality of life. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychological interventions significantly improved recovery among higher-risk patients, and education promoted adherence and engagement.

Conclusions: WAD rehabilitation is most likely to be successful once we recognize that active, multimodal therapy, and psychological factors influence WAD response. Early, personalized, and integrated interventions lead to better patient outcomes and may prevent chronic pain and disability.

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