Table 2.

Characteristics of Included Studies

Study	Methods	Participants	Interventions	Outcomes
Bunketorp et al. 200615	RCT; random allocation in blocks of 2 by flipping a coin; blinded outcome assessment	Sub-acute whiplash injury (6 weeks–3 months) after whiplash-type trauma; N = 47 (M:F = 17:30); mean age = 31 years	All: Neck-pain pamphlet; ergonomic advice from physiotherapist; low-intensity aerobic exercise 20 min, twice a week. E: Exercise programme supervised by physiotherapist for 1–1.5 hours twice a week for 3 months (n = 22). Exercise programme consisted of warm-up on a bike followed by cervical rotation over a wedged pillow, strength and endurance training of deep neck flexors (e.g., cheek to chest in nodding motion), dynamic exercises of the neck and shoulders (e.g., pulls and rows), lifting exercises, and abdominal and lower-extremity exercises. C: Home exercise programme twice a day + physiotherapy counselling once every 2 weeks for 3 months (n = 25). Exercise programme consisted of lifting and rolling the shoulders, shoulder-blade adduction, passive cervical rotation, rowing exercise with an elastic rubber band, and stretching of the neck muscles. Follow-up at 3 and 9 months	Self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy Scale), fear of movement (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia), disability (Pain Disability Index), pain (VAS, Painometer), muscle tenderness (palpometer), grip strength (electronic grip-force instrument), cervical mobility (helmet equipped with goniometer), sick leave (five-point scale), use of analgesics (yes/no), frequency of analgesic use (four-point scale)
Crawford et al. 200416	Quasi-RCT; random allocation based on casualty record number (even numbers allocated to experimental group, odd numbers allocated to control group); blinded outcome assessment	Acute whiplash injury within 48 hours of MVA; N = 108 (M:F = 40:68); mean age = 34 years	All: Initially supplied with soft cervical collar and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. E: Advised to mobilize freely without collar immediately + self-mobilization exercise regime administered via advice sheet* (n = 55) C: Advised to use collar for 3 weeks, then perform self-mobilization exercise regime administered via advice sheet* (n = 53) Follow-up at 3, 12, and 52 weeks	Activities of daily living (five-item scoring tool designed by the authors), time taken to return to work (days), pain (VAS), neck ROM (goniometer)
Rosenfeld et al. 2000,17 2003,18 200619 (triplet of studies)	RCT; random allocation by opaque, sealed envelopes; blinded outcome assessment	Acute whiplash injury within 96 hours of MVA; N = 88 (M:F = 29:59); mean age = 35 years	E1: Postural control advice + cervical rotation exercises consistent with McKenzie principles (once every waking hour) beginning within 96 hours of MVA (n = 21) E2: Postural control advice + cervical rotation exercises consistent with McKenzie principles (once every waking hour) beginning 14 days after MVA (n = 22) C1: Advised to rest neck and use soft collar for first few weeks after injury, then perform active movements two to three times daily (advice provided by leaflet within 96 hours of MVA) (n = 23) C2: Advised to rest neck and use soft collar for first few weeks after injury, then perform active movements two to three times daily (advice provided by leaflet 14 days after MVA) (n = 22) Follow-up at 6 months17 and 3 years18	Cervical ROM (cervical measurement system composed of inclinometer and compass), pain (VAS), sick leave (days), physical therapy treatment costs (US$),19 costs of production loss (US$)19
Schnabel et al. 2004,20 Vassiliou et al. 200621 (pair of studies)	RCT; random allocation by patient selection of opaque envelopes; unblinded	Acute whiplash injury within 48 hours of MVA; N = 200 (M:F = 77:123); mean age = 29 years	All: 50mg diclofenac three times a day + 50mg ranitidine twice a day E: 10 sessions with physiotherapist over 14 days consisting of mobilization exercises, active exercises with an elastic rubber band, heat to the neck, lymph drainage, and massage (n = 103) C: Advised to wear soft collar 24 hours a day for 1 week (n = 97) Follow-up at 6 weeks20 and 6 months21	Pain (VAS), disability (VAS), symptom prevalence (neck, head, shoulder, back, and limb pain; limb paresthesia; visual disturbance; tinnitus; dizziness) (yes/no)
Söderlund et al. 200022	RCT; randomization procedure not described; blinding not described	Acute whiplash injury (average = 20 days) after MVA; N = 59 (M:F = 24:35); mean age = 34 years	E: Same advice and exercise programme as control group + kinaesthetic sensibility and neck muscle coordination exercises 3 times a day (n = 30). Kinaesthetic sensibility and neck muscle coordination exercises involved lying on the ground and imagining a quadrangle underneath the head, then gently pressing each angle of the quadrangle against the floor one at a time and then pressing the two diagonal angles towards the floor at the same time. C: Advice including alternating rest with activity, keeping the neck from getting cold, walking a fair distance every day, and maintaining an upright posture while sitting, standing, or walking + exercise programme three times a day (n = 29). Exercise programme consisted of looking over each shoulder three to five times; moving arms up and down two to three times while taking a deep breath; and lifting shoulders upwards, exhaling, and relaxing the shoulders. Follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months	Disability (Pain Disability Index), self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy Scale), coping (Coping Strategies Questionnaire), pain (VAS), cervicothoracic posture (goniometer), cervical rotation ROM (goniometer), cervicocephalic kinaesthetic sensibility (helmet with laser pointer attached)

C = control group; E = experimental group; M:F = ratio of male subjects to female subjects; MVA = motor vehicle accident; N = total number of subjects; n = number of subjects in experimental/control group; RCT = randomized controlled trial; ROM = range of motion; VAS = visual analogue scale

*The exercise advice sheet was not described in the paper. An attempt was made to contact the authors, but they did not respond to requests for details.