Ajidahun AT1, Myezwa H1, Mudzi W1, Wood W-A1
1University of the Witwatersrand, Physiotherapy, Johannesburg, South Africa
Background: Musicians are at risk of developing playing-related musculoskeletal problems. In recent years, several injury prevention strategies have been developed to prevent playing-related problems of musicians. The intensity and frequency of practice predispose the musician to musculoskeletal injury. The competitiveness in the industry deters musicians from reporting health problems to their managers. Despite the positive outcomes reported with regards to the frequency and severity of injury, adoption and compliance to injury prevention programmes is poor. An understanding of the barriers and facilitators would be essential in the successful execution of an injury prevention programme.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators that could affect the implementation of an exercise-based intervention programme for string players.
Methods: A qualitative method (focus group discussion) was used to explore the opinions of music tutors in two music schools in South Africa.
Results: Eleven music tutors with an average of 28.2±6 years of experience participated in the study. Barriers to the adoption and adherence of an exercise-based intervention programme were time constraints and inadequate knowledge about the existence and mechanisms of playing-related injuries. The participants expressed the perceived benefits of the programme in ameliorating pain, thereby improving performance. Including an exercise programme in the standard music-teaching curriculum would facilitate its adoption and adherence.
Conclusion(s): Participants were receptive to the use of exercise-based intervention programmes for preventing playing-related musculoskeletal problems. Time constraints and inadequate knowledge about their injuries deter the adoption of the injury prevention programme. Including the exercise programme within the curriculum may facilitate uptake of the programme.
Implications: A concise, brief and school-based intervention programme inclusive of the pathophysiology and risk factors of playing-related problems would improve the uptake and adherence.
Keywords: implementation, health promotion, musician
Funding acknowledgements: FRC individual grant, the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Financial Aid Office, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators that could affect the implementation of an exercise-based intervention programme for string players.
Methods: A qualitative method (focus group discussion) was used to explore the opinions of music tutors in two music schools in South Africa.
Results: Eleven music tutors with an average of 28.2±6 years of experience participated in the study. Barriers to the adoption and adherence of an exercise-based intervention programme were time constraints and inadequate knowledge about the existence and mechanisms of playing-related injuries. The participants expressed the perceived benefits of the programme in ameliorating pain, thereby improving performance. Including an exercise programme in the standard music-teaching curriculum would facilitate its adoption and adherence.
Conclusion(s): Participants were receptive to the use of exercise-based intervention programmes for preventing playing-related musculoskeletal problems. Time constraints and inadequate knowledge about their injuries deter the adoption of the injury prevention programme. Including the exercise programme within the curriculum may facilitate uptake of the programme.
Implications: A concise, brief and school-based intervention programme inclusive of the pathophysiology and risk factors of playing-related problems would improve the uptake and adherence.
Keywords: implementation, health promotion, musician
Funding acknowledgements: FRC individual grant, the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Financial Aid Office, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing; Occupational health & ergonomics
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of the Witwatersrand
Ethics committee: Human Research Ethical Committee at the University of the Witwatersrand
Ethics number: M130836
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
