The Influence of a Sudden Increase in Playing Time on Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Complaints in High-Level Amateur Musicians in a Longitudinal Cohort Study

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral studies in the domain of professional musicians describe the relation between playing time and the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints in professional musicians. To date, no longitudinal cohort study into this relationship has been performed and no amateur musicians were studied. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the causal relationship between a sudden increase in playing time among amateur musicians on the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints in a prospective cohort study.MethodsAll members of two national Dutch Students Orchestras were asked to participate in the study. These project-based orchestras, consisting of high-level amateurs, followed a nine-hour rehearsing schedule for ten consecutive days. On the first day (t0) and after one week (t1) the subjects were asked to complete a paper-based questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, music-related questions, questions regarding playing-related musculoskeletal complaints and the music module of the disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire.ResultsThe NSO consisted of 85 and the NESKO of 41 members during the study period. 59 subjects completed the questionnaire at both timepoints (response rate 47%). 9 subjects were excluded for being a music academy student, leaving 50 subjects (mean age 22.1, 72% female) suitable for analysis. During the rehearsal week, the prevalence of at least one playing-related musculoskeletal complaint increased from 28% to 80%. The most frequently affected areas were the neck, upper and lower back, hand/and or wrists and shoulders. The DASH music module score increased from 14 at t0 to 23 at t1.ConclusionA point prevalence of 28% at the start of the study that increased remarkably to 80% within a one-week period. Future research should evaluate other risk factors for musculoskeletal complaints in amateur musicians. These risk factors should be the base for the development of preventive measures.

Psychometric properties of the performing arts module of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire

“…No floor or ceiling effects were found when considering this specific group. Scores reported in the current study were similar to prior reported results in a Spanish conservatory population [26] and correspond with the disability level of highlevel amateur student musicians at the end of an intensive music project [27]. Results of the general DASH questionnaire in this population of music students are comparable with prior reported disability levels of college instrumental musicians [7], and are only somewhat higher than disability levels in young, active adults without complaints [28].…”

The high prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) and its associated factors in amateur musicians playing in student orchestras: A cross-sectional study

“…Prevalences of up to 80% have been reported among amateur musicians. [ 8 – 12 ] These numbers seem to outline the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in the open population, for example in the Netherlands a year prevalence of 53.4% is reported in a survey in the open population. [ 13 ] However, no study directly comparing prevalences has been performed to our knowledge.…”

“…[ 2 , 11 , 12 ] Playing load is another confirmed risk factor among amateur musicians. [ 8 , 9 , 11 ] A recent cohort study reported a nearly threefold increase in prevalence following a sudden increase in playing time. [ 8 ]…”

“…[ 8 , 9 , 11 ] A recent cohort study reported a nearly threefold increase in prevalence following a sudden increase in playing time. [ 8 ]…”

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

“…Some 22 studies also investigated the association between different MSS outcomes. Similar to the extent/severity studies, the majority (86%) of the studies of risk factors reported general symptom outcomes[27,28,30,38,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50]53,54,60,64,65,69,71,74,76,[79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][91][92][93][95][96][97][106][107][108]110,111,115,116,119,122,125,126,[129][130][131][133][134][135][138][139][140][141][142][154][155]…”