Athletic Trainers Perceptions and Practices of Thermaltherapy

Immaculata University
Samantha Bell
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kelly A. Stalker

Abstract
Thermal-therapy is commonly used by athletic trainers (ATs) as
an analgesic for their athletes (Cataldi, Pritchard, Hart, & Saliba,
2013). The purpose of this study was to determine if there are
any differences in the thermal-therapy knowledge and practices of
athletic trainers. It was hypothesized that there would not be any
significant amounts of translation between perceptions and
practices in the traditional clinical setting. Sixteen high school and
collegiate athletic trainers ranging in age from twenty-three to
sixty-five years old participated in an eighteen question survey.
The survey was distributed through Survey Monkey. The results
showed that collegiate athletic trainers are more likely to change
their treatment practices based off of recent research(t=2.390,
p=0.038). These results indicate that the different settings the
athletic trainer works in can influence changes in treatment
methods based off of recent research.

Introduction

Treatment Method Scenarios

Three Day Old Deep Quadriceps Contusion

Acute Acromioclavicular Sprain

Results
43.75% of participants stay current on thermal therapy research.
25% of participants stated recent research has changed some of
their treatment methods.
Based on the setting the AT works in, collegiate ATs are
significantly more likely to have changed their methods based on
recent research ( t=2.390, p=.038).

Has recent research changed your treatment methods?

Acute Ankle Sprain

ATs typically use Thermal Energy by means of conduction.

There is a growing interest in the use of cryo-therapy in acute
injuries (Cataldi et al., 2013).

Sources of Recent Research

ATs have a knowledge of thermal-therapy but it is undetermined if

their perceptions match their practices.
Little to no research done on perceptions and practices of ATs.
Purpose: the purpose of this study is to determine if there are any
differences in the thermal-therapy knowledge and practices of
certified athletic trainers.

Mild Back Pain

Methods
Participants:
16 Certified Athletic Trainers
7 males & 9 females
Instrumentation:
18 question survey sent through Survey Monkey
5 scenarios
4 perceptions
6 research & current practice

Two Week Old Elbow Pain

Further Research & Conclusions

Perceptions and practices do not match up in some cases.
This information can be used to help ATs determine treatment
methods and why to chose those treatment methods.
This research could also serve as an educational tool for ATs.
Future research should consider a larger sample size from multiple
settings.

Reference: Cataldi, J. K., Pritchard, K. A., Hart, J. M., & Saliba, S. A. (2013). Cryotherapy Effects, Part 2: Time to Numbness Onset and Numbness Duration. International Journal Of Athletic Therapy & Training, 18(5), 26-28.