Alexander Technique classes for tertiary music students: Student and teacher evaluations of pre- and post-test audiovisual recordings

Abstract

Tertiary music students show patterns of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) similar to professionals, indicating the need for effective education in management and prevention during student years. When problems occur, music students are most likely to seek advice from their instrumental teachers; therefore, it is important for teachers to be involved in ensuring education programs are relevant to the occupational and artistic needs of both student and professional musicians. Musicians have previously reported improvements in outcomes associated with PRMDs and performance quality following Alexander Technique (AT) classes. In this study, 12 university music students and eight of their teachers evaluated video-recordings filmed before and after a semester of weekly, purpose-designed AT classes. Positive changes were observed in muscle tension, posture, tonal resonance, breathing, instrumental technique, and movement quality. Noted improvements were consistent with student participants’ subjective experiences, reported previously from questionnaire data. The results suggest that AT training at the instrument may have a direct positive impact on key factors associated with PRMDs as well as playing quality. Use of video assessments as a component of controlled, mixed-method studies with larger populations is recommended to establish the potential value of AT for inclusion in music training.

Alexander Technique classes improve pain and performance factors in tertiary music students

“…This could be accounted for in future studies by the inclusion of a control group. Nevertheless, the assessment that positive changes were most likely the result of AT is supported by findings from student and teacher evaluations of pre-and post-AT class videorecordings, reported elsewhere in Davies (2019).…”

“…Section C of data collection comprised evaluations via questionnaire of pre-and post-test audiovisual recordings by the participants and their teachers. The results of Section C are reported in a separate paper: Alexander Technique classes for tertiary music students: student and teacher evaluations of pre-and post-test audiovisual recordings (Davies, 2019).…”

“…The principles discovered and documented by Alexander are described in his four books (Alexander, 1985(Alexander, , 1987Brown, 1992), as well as in Cacciatore et al (2005), Hamel et al (2016, Davies (2019) and Rosenthal (1987). They are summarised briefly here.…”

Findings from the development and implementation of a novel course consisting of both group and individual Alexander Technique lessons for low back pain

“…Students reported that increased body awareness had led to these benefits. 15 A small group (six to eight) AT intervention including some hands-on work was found to improve functional reach in a sample of 12 women over 65 vs a control group of 5. 16 An intensive 2-week group intervention including hands-on work for balance in an elderly sample of 19 individuals found some improvements in balance measures.…”

Successful management of a professional viola player with a complex playing related musculoskeletal disorder

“…The high demands of practice and performance may result in the development of PRMDs [7]. Management of PRMDs is recommended to involve a thorough assessment and treatment using education and advice, postural correction, targeted exercise programs and other strategies including rest and a graded return to playing [8]. Occupational physicians, ergonomists and physiotherapists are commonly involved in the treatment of PRMDs depending on which model of care is used, with physiotherapy management being recommended for the management of PRMDs [9].…”