A Review of Clinical Studies about Acupuncture Therapy for Whiplash Associated Disorder

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to research current trends of acupuncture treatment of whiplash associated disorder (WAD). Methods Clinical studies about acupuncture therapy on WAD were searched in 7 databases. The included studies were classified according to their publication dates, methods, interventions, outcome measures. Interventions were analyzed by accompanied intervention, acupoint, acupuncture retaining time and treatment period. Results 14 articles were included. The number of studies on acupuncture for WAD shows increasing tendency since 1990. The included studies consist of 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 2 non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs), 2 cohort studies, 1 before and after study, 1 case study and 2 case reports. Most studies used visual analogue scale (VAS) as primary outcome. Conclusions This review demonstrates that further clinical studies need to be carried out under the formal clinical practice guidelines of acupuncture therapy for WAD in order to support clinical treatment objectively.

The Analysis of Korean Clinical Studies on the Effect of Pharmacopuncture for Whiplash Injury after Traffic Accidents

“…Whiplash Injury Associated Disorder (WAD) refers to head, neck and related systemic syndrome caused by skeletal injury, soft tissue damage, or internal bruising occurring when the head of an occupant is sharply overextended or over bent due to sudden acceleration or deceleration in various automobile accidents including front, rear or side collisions of a vehicle [ 4 ]. Recently, Korean medical institutions have been using traditional Korean medicine treatments such as acupuncture treatment [ 5 ], pharmacopuncture therapy [ 6 ], chuna treatment [ 7 ], and herbal medicine treatment [ 8 ] for WAD, and the results also have been reported to be positive.…”