Healthy volunteers sought for neck study

Are you one of the fortunate never to have never suffered from neck pain, neck injury or from frequent headaches?

Then University of Queensland Physiotherapy Department researchers would like to talk to you.

Associate Professor Gwendolen Jull said departmental researchers were seeking 100 ?normal' volunteers, both men and women, between the ages of 18 and 65 to help them by undergoing a comprehensive physical examination of their necks.

'This data will assist in our research into physical problems in the neck following a whiplash injury and be the basis to compare the performance of whiplash sufferers,' Ms Jull said.

Often in a whiplash injury, the problem was difficult to diagnose.

'We are investigating new methods which we believe may reveal more about the painful reactions of the joints and muscles in the neck after a motor vehicle accident,' she said.

'In the first instance though, we need to undertake these measures on normal, never-injured people of both genders and different ages. The help of volunteers is vital to this project.'

Ms Jull said participants would have their neck movements measured three-dimensionally, EMG monitoring of their muscles with various tests of neck and shoulder girdle movements, and undergo tests of the individual neck joints.

She said all tests were painless and each volunteer was required only once.

People interested in participating or wanting further information can telephone 07 3365 4568, or email the research clinic at: edwards@physio.therapies.edu.au

Media: For further information contact Associate Professor Jull, telephone 07 3365 2008.