• Petko Baltov, Julie Côte, Manon Truchon, and Debbie Ehrmann Feldman.
• School of Rehabilitation, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada.
• Disabil Rehabil. 2008 Jan 1;30(25):1947-55.

PurposeIdentify psychosocial and socio-demographic factors (measured prior to treatment) that were associated with post-treatment self-perceived pain and disability and two secondary outcomes: psychological distress, and return to work in patients undergoing multidisciplinary rehabilitation for chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD).MethodInterviews were conducted with 28 patients with chronic WAD at entry to and completion of an intensive rehabilitation program, and a telephone interview was carried out three months later. Participants completed pain and disability, and psychological distress questionnaires, at baseline and at both follow-ups. They also completed psychosocial questionnaires and provided socio-demographic information. The effect of each of the independent variables on the outcomes was first evaluated by simple regressions, and then subsequently by multiple regression analysis.ResultsHigher baseline pain and disability predicted higher pain and disability at both follow-ups (p < 0.001), and higher psychological distress at program completion (p = 0.003). Younger age (p = 0.028) and higher baseline psychological distress (p = 0.002) were associated with higher psychological distress three months post-rehabilitation. Greater social support at work was prognostic of return to work at program completion (p = 0.04).ConclusionsBaseline pain and disability was the only factor that affected pain and disability post-rehabilitation. Psychosocial factors played a role in the prognosis of psychological distress and return to work.

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