Therapeutic perceptions in management of transplant athletes at transplant games.

Objective: To investigate manual therapist's knowledge and beliefs of working with Transplantee Athletes (TxA) at Transplant Games.

Design: On-line questionnaire.

Participants: Thirty present and previous members of Transplant Sport 'therapy team' (age; 35 ± 14 years, 24 female).

Main Outcome Measures: Questions concerned demographics and general information on the background of the therapists. Closed questions with rating statements concerning beliefs when treating TxA and open questions asking for advice the participants would give to colleagues and further information they would like to have available to them.

Results: TxA were thought to be a vulnerable group of athletes requiring special precautions and considerations. Two areas of information evolved: "general advice for TxA management" and "specific advice for therapists". General advice was to understand TxAs and be vigilant with hygiene. Specific therapy advice was to avoid grade V manipulations and care with taping and massage, because of complications resulting from side effects of long-term medication.

Conclusion: There appears to be a lack of research-based evidence to guide practitioners in their management of TxAs. Generic, good advice is now available from experienced practitioners however there is a paucity of research evidence to support this. Thus, there is a potential danger of being overcautious in approaches to treatment which ultimately may impact on athletic performance. .