Whiplash Patients' Responses on the Impact of Events Scale-R

Abstract

Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are common among people with whiplash following a motor vehicle crash. The Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) screens for PTSD symptoms with psychologist referral recommended for above-threshold scores. Recent data indicate that PTSD symptoms post-whiplash may relate more to pain and disability than the crash itself. This study explored the interpretation of IES-R items by people with whiplash to establish whether responses relate to the crash or to whiplash pain and disability. Methods: Adults with whiplash scoring >24 on the IES-R were eligible. The 3-step test-interview technique was used and responses analyzed using content an..