One- and two-year follow-up of a randomized trial of neck-specific exercise with or without a behavioural approach compared with prescription of physical activity in chronic whiplash disorder

216 patients with a whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) were randomized to a 12-week protocol consisting of either neck-specific exercises with or without a behavioral approach, or prescribed physical activity. The study was conducted in order to determine which of three interventions was superior in improving disability, functioning, pain, self-efficacy, and adherence outcomes in this population over a 2 year follow-up period. The findings of this study indicated that the two neck-specific exercise groups significantly improved neck disability and functioning compared to the prescribed physical activity group at two years. Improvements in neck pain and pain hindrance were comparable between all three groups, as was self-efficacy. Protocol adherence was higher in the prescribed physical activity group at 2 years.