D C Viano1, S Olsen. 1. General Motors R&D Center, Warren, Michigan 48090-9055, USA. david.viano@gm.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Whiplash injury claims have increased for two decades and manual head restraints are often incorrectly adjusted. A Self-Aligning Head Restraint (SAHR) was designed to move upward and forward by occupant motion in a rear crash providing earlier neck support, even when the head restraint is positioned low. This study determines its field effectiveness. METHODS: Insurance records were analyzed for consecutive Saab rear crashes in Sweden over 18 months. The Saab 9000/900 had standard head restraints and Saab 9-5/9-3 had SAHR. A questionnaire was mailed to the occupants, insurance and medical records were reviewed, and phone interviews were conducted. RESULTS: SAHR reduced whiplash injury risks by 75 +/- 11% from an 18 +/- 5% incidence in 85 occupants with standard head restraints to 4 +/- 3% in 92 occupants with SAHR. No SAHR seat required repair or replacement after the crashes. CONCLUSION: SAHR is effective in reducing whiplash injury in rear crashes and is a passive public-health approach that works irrespective of manual head-restraint adjustment.
BACKGROUND:Whiplash injury claims have increased for two decades and manual head restraints are often incorrectly adjusted. A Self-Aligning Head Restraint (SAHR) was designed to move upward and forward by occupant motion in a rear crash providing earlier neck support, even when the head restraint is positioned low. This study determines its field effectiveness. METHODS: Insurance records were analyzed for consecutive Saab rear crashes in Sweden over 18 months. The Saab 9000/900 had standard head restraints and Saab 9-5/9-3 had SAHR. A questionnaire was mailed to the occupants, insurance and medical records were reviewed, and phone interviews were conducted. RESULTS:SAHR reduced whiplash injury risks by 75 +/- 11% from an 18 +/- 5% incidence in 85 occupants with standard head restraints to 4 +/- 3% in 92 occupants with SAHR. No SAHR seat required repair or replacement after the crashes. CONCLUSION:SAHR is effective in reducing whiplash injury in rear crashes and is a passive public-health approach that works irrespective of manual head-restraint adjustment.
Authors: Michele Curatolo; Nikolai Bogduk; Paul C Ivancic; Samuel A McLean; Gunter P Siegmund; Beth A Winkelstein Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2011-12-01 Impact factor: 3.468