- #100 - 325 Manning Rd NE Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5
- (403) 265-3838
- (403) 351-8882 (FAX)
- #100 - 325 Manning Rd NE Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5
- (403) 265-3838
- (403) 351-8882 (FAX)
Menu
Do people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) show changes in the pupillary light reflex compared with healthy individuals, and are these changes related to how the nervous system processes pain or to symptoms of stress, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress?
People with chronic WAD showed differences in how their pupils responded to light, including less pupil constriction and a quicker return toward their resting pupil size. These changes suggest possible dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system, which controls automatic body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and pupil responses. Interestingly, these pupil changes were not related to measures of central pain processing. Instead, some were associated with stress and anxiety symptoms, suggesting a connection between autonomic nervous system function and psychological symptoms in chronic WAD.
This is the first study to examine the pupillary light reflex as a measure of autonomic nervous system function in people with chronic WAD. The findings suggest that autonomic changes may be part of the complex symptoms experienced after whiplash, but they do not appear to directly reflect how the nervous system processes pain. The relationship with stress and anxiety highlights an important connection between physical and psychological responses in chronic WAD. Further research is needed to better understand the direction of this relationship and whether changes in autonomic function contribute to psychological symptoms, or vice versa.
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.
