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

Abstract

The authors aimed to characterize the current evidence base regarding musicians' musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS), in order to identify gaps for future research. A systematic search was conducted to identify peer-review studies published in English in 2007-2016 that investigated musicians' MSS. Narrative reviews, case reports, protocols, and questionnaire or program development papers were excluded. Data were synthesized descriptively in order to identify gaps in the current evidence base. Five systematic reviews and 153 primary studies (133 unique) were included in this review. The majority (71%) of studies investigated professional musicians and/or university music students, with orchestral musicians being the most commonly investigated group. The majority of studies investigated the extent of the problem (68%) and/or associated factors (54%). Eight studies compared the prevalence of MSS outcomes with other populations. A range of risk factors were investigated; however, few studies used longitudinal designs. A total of 16 intervention studies were identified (3 clinical, 13 public health), with 12 investigating education or exercise programs. There is a need for research into musicians beyond classical university music students and professional orchestral musicians, and these musical subgroups should be compared to determine the most at risk groups of musicians. Studies looking at potential risk factors should move towards longitudinal designs so that the temporal relationship of these factors and MSS could be established, where cross-sectional designs have indicated that an association exists. Intervention studies should be based upon the risk factors identified, and extend beyond education and exercise programs.

Impact of Exercises and Chair Massage on Musculoskeletal Pain of Young Musicians

“…Musculoskeletal disorders also include Craniomandibular Disorders or Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) [ 6 ]. Many authors investigating this issue often present discrepant results, and based on current evidence-based medicine standards systematic review conducted by van Selms et al [ 37 ], clearly states that there is no scientific and unambiguous confirmation that playing a musical instrument poses a risk of developing TMD as an occupational disease for musicians.…”

“…Artists playing musical instruments, due to loads related to the strain of playing the instrument, suffer from various forms of playing related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD) [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Most problems concern the musculoskeletal system; it is reported by up to 89% of musicians [ 5 , 6 ]. Studies show that health problems related with playing musical instruments more often concern women [ 1 , 5 , 7 ].…”

Why do we need to investigate non-classical musicians to reduce the burden of musicians’ musculoskeletal symptoms?

“…There is a relatively large body of evidence recently published regarding professional musicians' MSSs, however 69% of these studies were of orchestral musicians, with fewer than five studies each investigating military band musicians, choristers, opera singers and Cuban band musicians 9) . Orchestral musicians form a minority of professional musicians in many countries.…”

“…Orchestral musicians form a minority of professional musicians in many countries. For instance, in Australia orchestral musicians are estimated to account for less than 10% of professional musicians 9) ; and 64% of instrumentalists and singers predominantly work in contemporary musical genres 10) . To address the burden of musicians' MSSs these other groups of musicians should therefore be investigated.…”

“…Our recent systematic mapping review 9) of the musicians' MSS literature did not identify any studies comparing professional musicians working in different genres, and only two studies 11,12) that have compared different ensemble types. One of these two studies compared the prevalence of MSS outcomes in musicians in different types of orchestras (stage only, pit only, stage/pit) 12) , and the other different groups within military bands (blues, concert, ceremonial and chorus) 11) .…”