Applying the fear-avoidance model to the chronic whiplash syndrome

• Published in: Pain (Amsterdam) Vol. 131; no. 3; pp. 258 - 261
• Main Authors: Vangronsveld, Karoline, Peters, Madelon, Goossens, Mariëlle, Linton, Steven, Vlaeyen, Johan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-10-2007; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Avoidance Learning; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Clinical Psychology; Cranial nerves. Spinal roots. Peripheral nerves. Autonomic nervous system. Gustation. Olfaction; Fear - psychology; fear-avoidance; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Illness and personality; Illness, stress and coping; Klinisk psykologi; Medical sciences; Models, Psychological; Neck Pain - physiopathology; Neck Pain - psychology; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Psychology; Psychology and medicine; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psykologi; SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP; SOCIAL SCIENCES; Socialvetenskap; Syndrome; whiplash; Whiplash Injuries - physiopathology; Whiplash Injuries - psychology; Fear; Models; Whiplash; Avoidance
• ISSN: 0304-3959; 1872-6623; 1872-6623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.04.015

This article reviews the literature to ascertain whether the fear-avoidance model, which was developed to expain back pain, might also apply to whiplash.  Although there are large gaps in the data, some evidence suggests that the model is useful and may guide future research.