WhipPredict: Risk stratification for whiplash
The WhipPredict tool is a free risk stratification tool for clinicians caring for patients presenting with acute whiplash.
A whiplash risk stratification tool is a research-generated tool used to predict outcomes such as the likelihood of developing moderate/severe disability or experiencing full recovery from whiplash injury.
Developed by Professor Michele Sterling and colleagues, WhipPredict is underpinned by an extensive research evidence-base and has the support of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Why use WhipPredict?
Recovery following a whiplash injury is varied. While approximately 50 per cent of individuals fully recover, 25 per cent develop persistent moderate/severe pain and disability and 25 per cent experience milder levels of disability.
In our earlier studies, we observed increased probability of developing chronic moderate/severe disability in the presence of older age and initially higher levels of neck disability index (NDI) and hyperarousal symptoms, and increased probability of full recovery in younger individuals with initially lower levels of NDI.
Compared to other risk stratification tools, WhipPredict was designed to predict ongoing pain-related disability. WhipPredict, with higher sensitivity, will correctly identify a higher proportion of patients who will not recover when recovery is defined in terms of pain, disability, or perceived recovery.
How to use the Whip Predict Risk Stratification Tool
WhipPredict’s inbuilt questionnaire will help you assess the likelihood of recovery. Once your patient has completed the questionnaire and you have calculated the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the hyperarousal symptoms (if applicable) scores, follow the diagram below to make a prediction about the likelihood of recovery.
Recommendations for the treatment of WAD
Clinicians should follow the recommendations outlined in the Australian Guidelines for the management of Acute Whiplash Associated Disorders for Health Professionals. In addition, the online resource My Whiplash Navigator, provides additional information, assessments and case studies to assist health professionals in caring for patients with whiplash associated disorders.
Research evidence
Griffin, A.R., Sterling, M., Ritchie, C. et al. Do expectations of recovery improve risk assessment for people with whiplash-associated disorders? Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 23, 395 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05242-8.
Michele Sterling, Carrie Ritchie, Trudy Rebbeck, Ian D Cameron, Alex Griffin, Jagnoor Jagnoor, Michael Nicholas, Ha Nguyen, Jacelle Warren. Comparison of the Accuracy of WhipPredict to That of a Modified Version of the Short-Form Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire to Predict Poor Recovery After Whiplash Injury. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2021;51(5):207-215. Epub 19 Feb 2021. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.9987.
Joan Kelly, Carrie Ritchie, Michele Sterling. Agreement is very low between a clinical prediction rule and physiotherapist assessment for classifying the risk of poor recovery of individuals with acute whiplash injury. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice 39 (2019) 73-79, doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2018.11.003.
Carrie Ritchie, Joan Hendrikz, Gwendolen Jull, James Elliott, Michele Sterling. External Validation of a Clinical Prediction Rule to Predict Full Recovery and Ongoing Moderate/Severe Disability Following Acute Whiplash Injury. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(4):242-250. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5642
Ritchie, Carrie*; Hendrikz, Joan; Kenardy, Justin; Sterling, Michele. Derivation of a clinical prediction rule to identify both chronic moderate/severe disability and full recovery following whiplash injury. Pain 154(10):p 2198-2206, October 2013. | DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.07.001
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