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- #100 - 325 Manning Rd NE Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5
- (403) 265-3838
- (403) 351-8882 (FAX)
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This study investigates how symptoms across different body systems relate to health outcomes — particularly pain, disability, and quality of life — in people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). Specifically, we seek to understand which symptom-domains are most strongly linked to worse outcomes, and do pain cognitions (like catastrophic thinking) mediate those relationships?
People with chronic whiplash-associated disorders often report symptoms in multiple body systems, especially neurological, gastrointestinal, and psychological ones. These broader symptom profiles are linked to worse pain, disability, and physical health, but much of that link is explained by how patients think about their pain (pain cognitions). One exception: eye-related symptoms showed a direct association with pain and disability, independent of pain cognitions.
This study highlights that chronic WAD isn’t just about neck pain — treating only the musculoskeletal part may miss key symptom domains. Since pain cognitions play a major mediating role, cognitive-focused therapies might be especially beneficial. The direct link from eye-symptoms to pain/disability suggests non-cognitive pathways also deserve attention in both research and treatment.
If you have questions or comments about this post, please email us at research@vivocura.ca
NOTE: This was written to help the reader become familiar with some of the research we are doing here at Vivo Cura Health. This post, and all other content on this website are not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a certified healthcare provider to discuss if a treatment is right for you.
