Impairment of postural stabilization systems in musicians with playing-related musculoskeletal disorders

Recent research demonstrates the importance of postural stabilization systems (PSS) in back pain. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of PSS disturbances in musicians experiencing playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs).

Analysis for the presence of impaired PSS (lumbopelvic and scapular stabilizing system dysfunction, upper crossed syndrome) in 84 musicians.

Analysis of clinical examination data revealed dysfunctions of the PSS to be present in 78 (93%) of these subjects. Eighty-five percent were found to have impairments of scapular, 71% impairments of lumbopelvic stabilization system, and 57% were found to have upper crossed syndrome. Subgroup analysis (upper strings, lower strings, wind and keyboard instruments) showed significantly more impairment of the lumbopelvic stabilization system for upper and lower strings (P = .008), whereas similar rates for disturbances of scapular stabilizers and upper crossed syndrome were seen across subgroups. Furthermore, significant sex differences with a higher frequency of scapular stabilizers (P = .014) and upper crossed syndrome (P < .001) in women were present.

This study suggests that insufficiencies of the postural stabilization systems play an important role in the manifestation of musculoskeletal pain and PRMD in musicians. Although there are no prospective research data concerning PSS in musicians, the present authors' empirical observations and clinical experience support the notion that the clinical course and therapeutic outcomes of PRMD bear relationship to the function of the stabilization systems. We therefore argue for a greater emphasis on the examination and training of the postural systems in the integrated prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of musicians.