Table 3

Results of rounds 1 and 2 for treatment components of the ABPI

Treatment componentsRound 1Round 2
MedianIQR (Q1, Q3)% (no) of agreementMedianIQR (Q1, Q3)% (no) of agreement
1. Behavioural treatment components
Cognitive–behavioural therapy41.00 (3.00, 4.00)62.5041.00 (4.00, 5.00)85.71
Whiplash education51.00 (4.00, 5.00)93.7551.00 (4.00, 5.00)96.43
Advice to act as usual51.00 (4.00, 5.00)90.6251.00 (4.00, 5.00)89.29
Reassurance51.00 (4.00, 5.00)96.8851.00 (4.00, 5.00)100.00
Postural control and education40.75 (4.00, 4.75)87.504.51.00 (4.00, 5.00)85.71
Relaxation techniques41.00 (3.00, 4.00)65.6240.75 (3.25, 4.00)75.00
Self-management50.75 (4.25, 5.00)96.8850.00 (5.00, 5.00)100.00
Other please detailNo other treatment components were provided by participantsMental imagery (a cognitive technique) (provided by n=1 participant)
2. Physiotherapy treatment components
Exercise and mobilisation therapy
 Mobilisation with movement techniques (Mulligan)32.00 (2.00, 4.00)40.62*
 Active mobilisation exercises including cervical protraction–retraction41.75 (3.25, 5.00)75.0041.00 (4.00, 5.00)85.71
 Stabilisation exercises including deep neck flexor muscles41.00 (4.00, 5.00)87.5041.00 (4.00, 5.00)82.14
 Stretching exercises42.00 (2.00, 4.00)62.5041.00 (3.00, 4.00)67.86
 Mobility exercises41.00 (4.00, 5.00)100.0041.00 (4.00, 5.00)100.00
 Progressive exercises for strengthening41.75 (3.25, 5.00)75.0040.00 (4.00, 4.00)85.71
 Postural stabilisation40.75 (4.00, 4.75)81.2541.75 (3.25, 5.00)75.00
 Sensorimotor exercises (kinaesthetic sense, balance and eye movement)42.00 (3.00, 5.00)62.5041.00 (3.00, 4.00)71.43
 Breathing exercises3.51.00 (3.00, 4.00)50.003†1.00 (3.00, 4.00)46.43†
 Other please detailStabilisation exercises including deep neck extensor muscles (provided by n=2 participants)41.00 (4.00, 5.00)82.14
Manual therapy
 Joint mobilisation42.75 (2.25, 5.00)65.6241.75 (3.00, 4.75)71.43
 Massage or soft tissue mobilisation/manipulation41.00 (3.00, 4.00)62.5042.00 (3.00, 5.00)71.43
 Joint manipulation31.00 (2.00, 3.00)*21.88*
Other please detail
  • Neural mobilisation (provided by n=2 participants)

41.00 (3.00, 4.00)67.86
  • Muscle energy techniques (provided by n=1 participant)

3†2.00 (2.00, 4.00)28.57†
Physical agents
 TENS2*2.00 (1.00, 3.00)*12.50*
 PENS1*1.00 (1.00, 2.00)*0.00*
 MENS1*1.00 (1.00, 2.00)*0.00*
 Electrical stimulation1*1.75 (1.00, 2.75)*3.13*
 Interferential current1*1.00 (1.00, 2.00)*0.00*
 Diadynamic current1*1.00 (1.00, 2.00)*0.00*
 High voltage galvanic current1*0.75 (1.00, 1.75)*0.00*
 Electromagnetic therapy1*1.00 (1.00, 2.00)*0.00*
 Laser therapy1*1.00 (1.00, 2.00)*0.00*
 Ultrasound1*1.00 (1.00, 2.00)*6.25*
 Shortwave diathermy1*0.75 (1.00, 1.75)*0.00*
 Shock wave diathermy1*0.75 (1.00, 1.75)*0.00*
 Infared right1*1.00 (1.00, 2.00)*0.00*
 Microwave1*1.00 (1.00, 2.00)*0.00*
 Cyrotherapy3.52.00 (2.00, 4.00)50.003†2.00 (2.00, 4.00)35.71†
 Heat41.00 (3.00, 4.00)68.7541.00 (3.00, 4.00)71.43
 Mechanical traction2*2.00 (1.00, 3.00)*12.50*
 Other please detailNo other treatment components were provided by participants
3. Other
Multimodal therapy41.00 (3.00, 4.00)59.3840.75 (3.25, 4.00)75.00
Physical activity such as aerobic and fitness41.00 (4.00, 5.00)87.5040.00 (4.00, 4.00)82.14
Other please detail
  • Acupuncture (provided by n=1 participant)

3†1.00 (2.00, 3.00)†14.29†
  • Dry needling (provided by n=1 participant)

2†1.00 (2.00, 3.00)†7.14†
  • 5=very important, 4=important, 3=no opinion, 2=not important, 1=not at all important.

  • *Not meet consensus criteria for round 1.

  • †Not meet consensus criteria for round 2.

  • ABPI, active behavioural physiotherapy intervention; MENS, microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation; PENS, percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; TENS, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.