Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons^™

Electrical Stimulation And Localized Heat After Dry Needling Treatment To Reduce Low Back Pain, Morgan M. Mersola, Amanda Hawkes, Adam Mendenhall

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a musculoskeletal condition that often leads to reduced quality of life, prompting the need for effective conservative interventions such as dry needling (DN). A randomized controlled pilot study involving 12 participants was conducted at a physical therapy clinic.

Methods: The final subject pool consisted of a convenience sample of adults with CLBP lasting > 3 months. Participants were randomly assigned to either a dry needling-only group (DNO) or a dry needling plus modalities group (DN+M). The DNO group received a single dry needling treatment located at various sites along the multifidus by a physical …

Employers’ Perceptions Of And Experiences Working With Residency-Trained Athletic Trainers, C E. Welch Bacon, J M. Cavallario, L E. Eberman, J J. Wetherington, F Q. Pecha, B L. Van Lunen

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Athletic trainers (ATs) who complete accredited residency training in a specialty area are considered clinical specialists, yet more information is needed to determine whether they are practicing within the higher capacity expected of a specialist. While some quantitative evidence demonstrating the value of residency-trained ATs on patient satisfaction, patient throughput, and the financial impact specific to the physician practice setting exists, residency training is not limited to only ATs who want to provide services in physician practice. Moreover, as accredited athletic training residency programs continue to emerge, it is increasingly important to understand key stakeholders’ perceptions of residency-trained ATs …

Athletic Training Preceptors’ Experience With Interprofessional Education And Collaborative Practice In The Clinical Learning Environment, A Bender

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Professional athletic training (AT) programs are now required to align their educational curricula with the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) core competencies, preparing students to work in dynamic, interprofessional healthcare teams to strategically address patient outcomes. Although interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) is commonly implemented in didactic settings, our understanding of how IPECP is implemented by AT preceptors in various clinical settings is limited. The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of AT preceptors’ experience with IPECP and how they implement this with students in their clinical settings. Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was used …

The Validity And Reliability Of Assessments Through Telemedicine: An Evidence-To-Practice Review, Connor L. Givens, Gabrielle A. Griffin, Matthew D. Johnson, Zachary K. Winkelmann

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The validity and reliability of telemedicine assessments has been explored through numerous studies. Telemedicine is a diagnostic tool that combines visual technology, audio technology, and tools for assessment. The assessment of musculoskeletal disorders is a key portion in the field of athletic training. The development of telemedicine assessment tools has improved over time but has not yet been perfected. Data was collected via four databases that included articles examining validity, inter- and intra- rater reliability, and telemedicine assessment for musculoskeletal tests. The reviews of the systematic review used Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) and quality appraisal tool for …

Knowledge Of And Attitudes Toward Native American And First Nations People Among Ncaa Division I Athletic Trainers, L E. Trail, L K. Warner, B J. Warner, M Decker, S A. Cage

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Current literature shows that Native Americans people experience more health care disparities relative to other ethnic and racial groups. Previous research has also shown that these healthcare disparities are present in pediatric and young adult Native American populations. As healthcare professionals who will potentially treat these populations, it is important to understand the knowledge of and attitudes toward Native Americans people among athletic trainers. The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the knowledge of, and attitudes and opinions of National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I athletic trainers toward Native Americans. Methods: An electronic survey (Table 1) …

Graston Technique® Combined With Therapeutic Intervention As An Alternative Treatment For A Grade Iii Ucl Thumb Sprain: A Disablement Model Case Study, Raul Anaya Jr., Kim Bacalla, Annette D. Monk

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Nonoperative measures have been shown to have positive effects on thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprains considered less than complete. This case presents evidence supporting Graston Technique® (GT) plus therapeutic exercise in order to decrease pain and stiffness in a collegiate football athlete who sustained a grade III UCL sprain. The results showed that there was a reduction in pain level above the minimal clinically importance difference, and ROM improved throughout the three-week intervention. The findings of this case study provide minimal support for an alternative treatment to reduce pain and stiffness in a grade III UCL sprain, with further …

Quality Improvement: Implementation Of Individualized Concussion Patient Education And Rehabilitation Treatment Plans, Briana Burgette, Tamara C. Valovich Mcleod

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Concussion is a significant health issue at all levels of sports participation. At Saint Luke’s Health System (SLHS) in Kansas City, Missouri, the sports medicine and concussion team discovered an issue with dissemination of patient education for concussion rehabilitation plans. A quality improvement project was launched in August 2019 to develop concussion educational rehabilitation plans, incorporating cluster symptoms into concussion profiles and improving communication during follow-up care. The project promoted improvement of patient understanding of individualized rehabilitation plans and effective communication for the treatment management team. Three cycles of a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement project were completed over 6 months. …

Clinical Implications Of Telemedicine For Surgical Care: An Evidence-To-Practice Review, Adam M. Hollien, Mary Catherine Avey, Zachary K. Winkelmann

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Telemedicine is a newer concept in medicine that utilizes technological devices to provide care to patients. In a society already greatly advanced with technology, telemedicine is the new frontier in healthcare. Implementing telemedicine into current practices will benefit both the patient and the provider. The technology utilized with telemedicine has demonstrated promise by decreasing patient travel time, decreasing lost time from work, increasing patient interactions, and increasing interprofessional collaboration. The cost of implementation is minimal compared to the cost savings that will be accrued from utilizing this technology. There are many specialty areas in healthcare where telemedicine can be implemented …

Suspension Training As An Effective Intervention To Improve Core Stability: A Critically Appraised Topic, S Stiltner, M Boham, D Melrose

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Clinical Scenario: The core is a functional unit connecting the upper and lower extremities consisting of abdominal, back, and hip musculature. Core stability is a determining factor in patient motor performance and provides optimal force production and precision of movement. A highly functional core is essential in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Traditional means of core stability training are performed on a stable surface. Emerging research suggests patients may benefit from core stability training on unstable mediums such as is used with suspension training. Clinical Question: Does suspension training improve core activity in an active population? Search Strategy: Key words used …

Opioid Medication Use And Education Following Sports Medicine Procedures: An Evidence-To-Practice Review, Caitlin S. O’Mara, Michael G. Ward, Zachary K. Winkelmann

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), illicit and prescription drug overdoses are responsible for 128 deaths every day in the United States. In 2018, 70% of all overdose related deaths involved opioids. Efforts to minimize the opioid epidemic focus on community education, research, partnership, and healthcare support. Under the CDC guidelines, current practices include monitoring trends of drug use and drug related deaths, conducting research to recognize areas in need of improvement and to analyze effectiveness of current treatments, partner with community organizations and healthcare systems that deal firsthand with opioid users, and educate the public on drug …

The Presentation Of Adhesive Capsulitis Of The Hip: A Case Study, Patrick E. Jurewicz, Ryan C. Berlinrut, Frank K. Noojin Iii, Zachary K. Winkelmann

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

A 47-year-old female patient employed as a nurse in a mental health facility working 10-hour shifts reported to the sports medicine clinic for an initial orthopaedic examination after she twisted and fell out of bed causing direct compressive forces on her right hip. She has a history of an underdeveloped right hip, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) allergy, and low back pain (Oswestry score: 41/50, NPRS: 8/10) and is classified as a heavy smoker for 30 years. After initial onset, the patient’s pain increased with all motions. The patient also described a ‘catching sensation’ in her hip. The patient used …

The Role And Value Of The Athletic Trainer In The Chiropractic Medicine Setting, Nicholas Spangler

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

In the United States, back pain is the most common cause of activity limitation in people younger than 45 years, the second most frequent reason for visits to the physician, the third most common cause of surgical procedure, and the most frequently reported subcategory of musculoskeletal impairment in the United States of people aged up to 65 years (51.7%).1 Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who are trained in the evaluation and treatment of this patient population and utilize a variety of skills like spinal manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, modalities, and therapeutic exercise. Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals whose educational and clinical …

Redeployment Of Athletic Trainers During A Pandemic, James Caiola

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Before COVID-19 was recognized as a global pandemic involving the United States of America in March of 2020, MedStar Health employed 40 Athletic Trainers (ATs) in multiple settings. While ATs worked in the traditional setting at 17 high schools, 2 universities, and with 2 professional teams in the Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC area, they also have been used in nontraditional ways. They are used in the physician practice setting to manage clinic flow, evaluate patients and present to the physician, provide pre- and post-surgical patient education, and being an overall patient point of contact in a busy clinic. They …

Telehealth Optimization – Role Of Clinical Athletic Trainers In Orthopedic/Sports Medicine Practice, Katie Harbacheck, Laura Grambo, Shaun Keefer, Eric Klein, Christine Boyd, Carolyn Ford-Hemann, Cameron D’Alpe, Steve Frick, Kevin Shea

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Background: Prior to COVID-19, telehealth (TH) implementation in most health systems was minimal. The transition to high rates of TH was dramatic in response to COVID-19, and many health systems struggled to develop optimal, efficient TH workflows. Hypothesis/Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of clinically integrated athletic trainers (ATs) into the TH transition of a major orthopedic academic center through growth of TH visits as well as physician satisfaction. Methods: Workflows and tip sheets were designed to include considerations of TH visit increases, adoption of appropriate technology platforms and optimal staff models. The rapid …

Implementation Of A Novel Return-To-Ride Concussion Management Policy For Collegiate Hunter/Jumper Equestrian Athletes, Devon Serrano, Velyn Wu

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

A concussion return-to-participation protocol specific to equestrian is critical in the safe return of athletes to their respective discipline. When the care of the hunter/jumper equestrian teams became the responsibility of the Sports Medicine staff at Sweet Briar College, a return-to-participation concussion management policy was needed to ensure the safety of the equestrian student-athletes. A quality-improvement project focusing on the development of a “Return-to-Ride” protocol was started in the fall semester of 2016. The Sports Medicine staff collaborated with the Sweet Briar College riding center to create and ensure compliance of the protocol. The intended aim of developing this protocol …

Optimizing Return To Learn Following A Sport-Related Concussion: A Quality Improvement Project, Dawn Ranns, Tamara Valovich Mcleod

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Sport-related concussion (SRC) has been at the forefront of the sports medicine literature and media; however only recently has return to learn (RTL) been recognized as an important piece of a concussion management plan (CMP). A student’s successful transition back to the classroom following SRC depends on the support, resources, and effective communication among the multidisciplinary team. This project focused on the assessment of current faculty knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about concussion, the development of an RTL policy, and implementation of educational resources at a Division II institution. This project ran for 6 months, using 2 cycles of the plan, …

Point-Of-Care Assessment At A Free, Out-Of-Hours Orthopedic Clinic, Whitney M. Graves, Zachary K. Winkelmann, Kenneth E. Games

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Access to healthcare is a challenge for many Americans living in rural communities. Hospital systems have created programs and developed models to improve access to care. However, documentation of the role of these clinics serving different populations and various types of communities is quite scarce. The purpose of this article is to describe the patient satisfaction and procedures assessed at the point-of-care during a 14-week, out-of-hours free orthopedic clinic in the Southeastern United States. One hundred and twenty-nine patients attended the orthopedic clinic and completed a patient satisfaction survey following their patient encounter. At the end of the 14-week, 89% …

Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Sources, Clinical Applications And Outcomes For Common Musculoskeletal Conditions, Steven Boyton, Lindsey Clemensen

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Background: The clinical use of Mesenchymal Stems Cells (MSC) in musculoskeletal medicine has become increasingly recognized in the medical field as a promising treatment modality. MSCs have been defined as spindle shaped cells that are capable of rapid proliferation and self-renewal contained within several tissues including bone marrow, synovial and adipose tissue, blood and periosteum. MSCs are currently being used in clinical trials for musculoskeletal purposes including the enhancement of tissue regeneration, bone and cartilage defects and tissue repair. Currently a variety of stem cell products, methods and applications are being used which can provide many misconceptions for the most …

Patient Satisfaction With Athletic Trainers Working In A Physician Practice Setting, Nathaniel P. Acree, Forrest Q. Pecha, Joshua B. Lavigne, Esther C. Nolton

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Background: Recent changes in healthcare administration via the introduction of the Triple Aim by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement have challenged healthcare institutions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness with which services are provided, while also enhancing patient experience. These changes have facilitated the hiring of clinical support staff from varying backgrounds with the aim of ensuring the goals of the triple aim are met within the clinical environment. Recently orthopedic practices have begun to include certified athletic trainers in the healthcare delivery team due to their advanced base of musculoskeletal knowledge. Previous literature has observed increased efficiency and revenue …

Best Practices In Patellar Tendinopathy Management: An Evidence To Practice Review, Christopher J. Burcal, Adam B. Rosen, Tony Taylor, Mike Nicola

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is a degenerative condition that is common in sporting populations due to the loads placed on the tendon during dynamic activity. PT often occurs in overtraining situations; however, it may also occur in conjunction with and/or worsen through poor biomechanics, persistent inflammation, and altered movement patterns. Although sports medicine practitioners have evidence to support the prevalence of this injury, we do not have a strong base of evidence surrounding the contributing factors and pathophysiology that lead the pain and disability reported in patients with PT. The purpose of this evidence to practice review was to summarize a …

Acute Management Of An Abductor Digiti Minimi Strain In A Collegiate Baseball Player: A Patient-Centered Case Study, S. Andrew Cage, Diana M. Gallegos, Brandon J. Warner

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

The purpose of this disablement model case study was to describe the case of a collegiate baseball player suffering from an isolated abductor digiti minimi strain. Despite an initial decrease in function, the treating sports medicine staff was able to provide the necessary care to allow the patient to participate in the final games of his career. While the anatomy and function of abductor digiti minimi are well described in the literature, there is no documentation of isolated abductor digiti minimi injuries. In this case, the patient injured the medial aspect of his hand when hitting a baseball. The patient …

Expanding Clinical Practice With Complementary And Integrative Health, Such As Tai Chi, As Therapeutic Interventions, Connor A. Burton

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

No abstract provided.