Date of Graduation

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

Michelle A. Sandrey

Abstract

Context: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a very frustrating disorder to diagnosis and treat. The first and best treatment however is early recognition. Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in college athletes at the Division 1 level and also determine the perception of knowledge of Certified Athletic Trainers at the same institutions. Design: The design of the study was a prospective descriptive analysis, through use of a questionnaire to determine the prevalence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and the perception of certified Athletic Trainers. Setting: 91 accredited NCAA Division 1 Athletic Training programs. Participants: This study included 91 accredited NCAA Division 1 Athletic Training programs. Fifteen schools responded that they would participant with a total of 89 participants and 13 certified Athletic Trainers completed the questionnaire, for a return rate of 14.6 %. This was a sample of convenience by including Division 1 NCAA institutions that have a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP). The subjects were included because they met the minimal requirements. Thrity and eight tenths percent were and (n=4) female, 69.2 % (n=9) male. Seventy- six and nine tenths percent (n=10) earned a masters degree or equivalent and 23.1% (n=3) earned a Ph.D. One hundred percent (n=13) of the respondents held ATC or ATC/L credentials, 53.8% (n=7) ATC’s had 11to 20 years of experience, and 23.1% (n=3) ATC’s had more than 20 years of experience. Exclusion criteria were if they did not work at a Division 1 institution that has an accredited undergraduate ATEP. Intervention: The undergraduate program director received an email asking if their institution was willing to participate in the study. Once the confirmation of willingness to participate was received, then an initial cover letter and was sent to the program director to forward to the staff members electronically. Interested staff members were directed to a website to complete the questionnaire. After a two-week period a second cover letter was emailed again encouraging participants to complete the questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures: Based on the responses the staff Certified Athletic Trainers will feel that their perception of knowledge was adequate and they will be prepared to recognize the signs and symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in the clinical setting. Results: CRPS was prevalent in the small sample of Division 1 CAATE accredited programs. Four females were diagnosed with CRPS following a traumatic musckoloskelatal injury while participating in Division 1 athletics. Of the 13 respondants 69.2% (n=9) responded yes they had heard of CRPS/RSD, 84.6 %(n=11) did not feel that they were qualified to recognize signs and symptoms, 92.3 % (n=12) did not feel that they were qualified to treat CRPS/RSD, and only 15.3% (n=2) were aware of contraindications for CRPS, 61.5% (n=8) of the Athletic Trainers associated pain that is seemingly disproportionate to the usual course of any known trauma or other lesion. The two athletic trainers that reported having an athlete with CRPS reported higher recognition of signs and symptoms and treatment options for CRPS. Fifty- three and eight tenths percent (n=7) would refer to a pain management doctor. Lastly 30.8 % (n=4) stated that they gained their knowledge through reading journal articles about CRPS/RSD and 46.2% (n=6) stated that yes CRPS was taught as part of the curriculum. Conclusion: Four cases of CRPS were found in a sample of female Division I athletes following musculoskeletal injuries common to athletic training. Because of this, it is important that certified Athletic Trainers and Athletic Training students be educated on the signs and symptoms of CRPS. The population of certified athletic trainers was well educated and experienced in years, however they had a poor recognition of CRPS and felt they were not qualified to treat CRPS

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