A comparative study on the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among musicians and non-musicians

Abstract

BackgroundResearch comparing the frequency of musculoskeletal complaints between musicians and non-musicians is scarce. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints between musicians and non-musicians.MethodsA cross-sectional study in 3215 students from three music academies (n = 345) and one medical school (n = 2870) in The Netherlands was performed, using an electronic questionnaire. The questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, use of music instruments and the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints in six body regions. Questions were related to musculoskeletal complaints over the last twelve months and at the time of the questionnaire. Chi-square, t-tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparison between the two groups. The association between musculoskeletal complaints and possible predictors was analyzed using a logistic and Poisson regression.ResultsEighty-seven music academy students and 503 medical students returned the questionnaire, of which respectively eighty-three and 494 were included in the study. Seventy-four music academy students (89.2%) reported one or more musculoskeletal complaints during the last twelve months, compared to 384 (77.9%) medical students (p = 0.019). Moreover 52 music academy students (62.7%) and 211 medical students (42.7%) reported current musculoskeletal complaints (p = 0.001). The Odds ratio (OR) for the development of musculoskeletal complaints during the last twelve months in music academy students versus medical students is 2.33 (95% CI 1.61–3.05, p = 0.022). The OR at the time of the questionnaire is 2.25 (95% CI 1.77–2.73, p = 0.001). The total number of complaints have been modeled by employing a Poisson regression; the results show that non-musicians have on average less complaints than musicians (p = 0.01). The adjusted means are 2.90 (95% CI 2.18–3.63) and 1.83 (95% CI 1.63–2.04) respectively for musicians and non-musicians. Regarding the localization of complaints, music academy students reported more complaints concerning the right hand, wrists, left elbow, shoulders, neck, jaw and mouth in contrast to medical students.ConclusionsMusculoskeletal complaints are significantly more common among musicians compared to non-musicians, mainly due to a higher number of upper extremity complaints.

A Painful Symphony: The Presence of Overuse Syndrome in Professional Classical Musicians

“…Musicians who experience pain often continue practicing and playing, hoping that the pain will go away. Overuse syndrome is the most reported diagnosis among instrumental musicians suffering from PRMDs (Kok et al, 2013). Muscles that are fatigued become less efficient and less responsive; thus a demanding activity requires more force.…”

Musculoskeletal disorders and complaints in professional musicians: a systematic review of prevalence, risk factors, and clinical treatment effects

“…MCDs in the cross-sectional studies were measured with different instruments and used different definitions and questionnaires that to our knowledge, were often not validated (Abréu-Ramos and Micheo 2007;Ackermann et al 2011;Arnason et al 2014;Blackie et al 1999;Chan et al 2013;Crnivec 2004;Davies and Mangion 2002;De Smet et al 1998;Fishbein et al 1988;Fry 1986;Heredia et al 2014;Hodapp et al 2009;Kim et al 2012;Kok et al 2013;Kovero and Könönen 1995;Marques et al 2003;Schäcke et al 1986;Middlestadt and Fishbein 1989;Molsberger 1991;Papandreou and Vervainioti 2010; Raymond et al Moderate degree of disability and pain in all the groups, more disability and pain in the cellists, slightly lower in the violinists and the lowest in the pianists, pain stat. sign.…”

Have musicians’ musculoskeletal symptoms been thoroughly addressed? A systematic mapping review

“…When instruments were grouped, they tended to be within traditional instrument groupings (e.g., woodwind, brass, strings, percussion); however, there were some exceptions. Some appeared to be collections of instruments where there were small numbers of participants (e.g., keyboards, or harps in orchestras) [46,54,93], while others grouped instruments according to their biomechanical exposures; namely, symmetrical or asymmetrical playing postures [93]; whether their musical activity (e.g., instrument or singing) was thought by the researchers to place Where there were duplicate reports of a study, the oldest publication was counted. This classification refers to the target population that was not necessarily the same as those from whom data were collected (e.g., Rickert et al [61][62][63]151], Ackermann and Driscoll [175], Ajidahun and Phillips [186], and McKechnie and Jacobs [177]).…”

“…, and university orchestral students with those who had not played any music for at least the past year [116]. Kok et al [54,55] also compared the medical students who did and did not play a musical instrument. Overall, the comparison between musicians and non-musicians remains under-investigated.…”