Complications from therapeutic modalities: results of a national survey of athletic trainers.
OBJECTIVE
To understand better the frequency and type of complications encountered by athletic trainers.


METHODS
A descriptive questionnaire.


METHODS
Athletic training facilities at the high school, college, and professional levels, as well as physical therapy clinics.


METHODS
A total of 3012 certified athletic trainers employed in above-mentioned settings.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Frequency and types of complications encountered for different modalities were computed. Primary modality type used and frequency of complications in different settings were explored.


RESULTS
Of the 3012 surveyed, 905 (30%) responded, 26% of whom reported a complication; 362 total complications were documented. Cryotherapy accounted for 42% of complications, with allergic reactions (n=86), burns (n=23), and intolerance/pain (n=16) most commonly listed. Electric stimulation accounted for 29% of complications, with skin irritation (n=41), burns (n=40), and intolerance/pain (n=18) most commonly listed. Therapeutic heat accounted for 22% of complications; therapeutic exercise accounted for 7% of complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with documented complications in the peer-reviewed literature, our survey results differed vastly with regard to the complications encountered. This may reflect a learning phenomenon, a shift in modality usage, or a general underreporting of complications.
Nadler
Scott F
SF
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ-NJ Medical School, Newark 07103, USA. sfnadler@cs.com
Prybicien
Michael
M
Malanga
Gerard A
GA
Sicher
Dan
D
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003625:Data Collection; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D014481:United States