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Moeller D.1, Ackermann B.2, Zalpour C.1
1Osnabrueck University of Applied Sciences, Physiotherapy, Osnabrueck, Germany, 2The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, Australia
Background: Instrumentalists are exposed to many risk factors that may lead them to develop playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs). The dynamic and static load while playing most of the instruments may result in muscular overuse problems, particularly prevalent in the upper limbs and back. The fast and repetitive movements of a musician may over time result of in inappropriate physical strain and consequent alterations in muscle balance and motion patterns.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyse whether there are different muscle balance and motion patterns in upper strings as a vulnerable group of instrumentalists and how these patterns correlate with other influencing factors such as playing duration, pain, anxiety or performance capacity.
Methods: This is a multicenter study of Osnabrueck University of Sciences and the University of Sydney in a cross-sectional design to concurrently investigate muscle activity and motion. The subject group will include music students and professional musicians, who are divided via questionnaires to a PRMD and a non-PRMD group. All participants pass through the same protocol: (1) playing a standardized chromatic scale, (2) playing an hour-long a self chosen "hard" musical piece and (3) playing a standardized chromatic scale. Primary outcomes are the muscle activity characteristics and motion patterns. Correlations will be drawn between these and playing duration, pain, anxiety and performance capacity.
Results: At this early stage of data capture, there are no significant results expected because of the limited sample size. But based on the present data, it seems to be a change in muscle balance and motion patterns between violinists with and without PRMD. Furthermore, this is dependent on the level of muscle fatigue.
At this moment, correlations between muscle activity, motion patterns and other contributing factors are not drawn due to the small sample size.
Conclusion(s): Dependent on the localisation of a PRMD, differential muscle activity pattern appear. Additionally to these findings, motion patterns are also changing. The results of this study are confirmed by previous studies with violinists.
Based on statistical results it may be possible to identify compensatory or less effective motor strategies used to maintain performance. Recognising aberrant motion patterns, and if such motions are correlated with less efficient muscle activation patterns, are important to understand the complex mechanism in the development of PRMD.
Statistical results are expected in spring 2017 and will be used.
Implications: These results may help in developing targeted PRMD prevention and management strategies in the field of musicians health.
Funding acknowledgements: This research is funded by Osnabrueck University of Applied Sciences
Topic: Musculoskeletal: upper limb
Ethics approval: Ethics committee: Osnabrueck University of Applied Sciences (No. WS-16-17-WiSo-01)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
