Upper trapezius recruitment with a repetitive upper limb task: comparison of female WADII subgroups and healthy controls

Persistent neck pain in whiplash associated disorders (WAD) is a worldwide problem. In an effort to improve classification and management of people with WADII, surface EMG of upper trapezius of the dominant limb was compared between 10 healthy women and 19 women with persistent neck pain post motor vehicle accident, before, during, and after a repetitive upper limb task. Separate analyses were also performed with the WADII women grouped by level of disability (Neck Disability Index scores) as well as using a clinically focused system, the Sterling Classification System (WADIIA, WADIIB, WADIIC). Evidence of abnormalities of upper trapezius recruitment were present in the women with persistent neck pain and WADII, however, further research is indicated to understand the clinical implications of these changes and optimal intervention strategies.