• E Coudeyre, S Demaille-Wlodyka, S Poizat, K Burton, M A Hamonet, M Revel, and S Poiraudeau.
• Centre de médecine physique et réadaptation Notre-Dame, 4, avenue Joseph-Claussat, BP 86, 63404 Chamalières cedex, France. manucoudeyre@mageos.com
• Ann Readapt Med Phys. 2007 Oct 1;50(7):552-7, 545-51.

UnlabelledCould a simple educational intervention modify beliefs about whiplash? A preliminary study among professionals working in a rehabilitation ward.ObjectiveWhiplash and its consequences remain an alarming clinical and social problem, and psychosocial factors could play a role. We aimed to translate and assess the effects on beliefs of an evidence-based educational booklet on whiplash-associated disorders among professionals who work in a rehabilitation ward.MethodsAfter translation/back-translation of the English version of The Whiplash Book, we undertook a before-and-after prospective study. The main outcome assessment was final score on the whiplash belief questionnaire (WBQ) involving nine questions assessing beliefs and attitudes about the consequences of whiplash rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "completely agree" to "complete disagree." Final scores range from 9 to 45, low scores indicating positive beliefs. Demographic, educational and professional data, as well as personal medical history of neck pain, were recorded. Acceptability of the booklet was rated on a 10-point scale and by open questions.ResultsAmong the 50 professionals included in the study, 48 completed the questionnaire. Whiplash beliefs tended to be positive at first assessment (WBQ score 23.37+/-6.45). Reading the whiplash booklet significantly improved beliefs (14.27+/-4.39; P<0.05). Global evaluation of the booklet on a 10-point scale was good (8.13+/-1.05) as was acceptability (8.13+/-1.05).ConclusionAfter reading a booklet about whiplash translated into French, beliefs about the consequences of whiplash were changed for the better in this sample of French-speaking healthy professionals working in a rehabilitation ward. This simple educational intervention translated into French could be used for education and for ameliorating beliefs about the consequences of whiplash among health care professionals and the public.

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