Pain Perception in Clarinetists with Playing-Related Pain After Implementing a Specific Exercise Program

Wind musicians suffer injuries resulting from muscle overuse and poor postural habits, often due to the lack of required physical fitness. For this reason, it is important to study and analyze the characteristics of their activity in order to select appropriate preventive exercises.

10 clarinetists, who were experiencing joint pain due to instrumental practice, followed a specific program of physical activity, 3 times a week for 2 months. To assess postural changes after its implementation, the Langlade test and muscle pain scale were used at the beginning and the end of the program.

The results show a significant decrease in perceived pain (p<0.001) and changes in the dorsal spine (p=0.001). Given the relationship between the improvement in the Langlade item, which refers to the correct position of the shoulder blades, and muscle pain, with a correlation level of 0.582, it can be said that a change in the shoulder girdle position leads to a decrease of pain in that area.

In this pilot study of 10 clarinetists, a regular program of physical activity for 9 weeks led to an observable change in posture and a reduction in pain using self-report measures.