Rates and Patterns of Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Drummers

Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) are a significant health concern for percussionists. Although many of the known risk factors for PRMDs likely apply to all percussion subgroups (e.g., weekly practice hours, warm-ups/cool-downs, etc.), the rates and injury patterns in drummers (herein defined as 'percussionists who play the drum set') may differ due to differences in physical demands from those of other percussion subgroups. The goal of this study was to determine the drummer-specific rates and patterns of PRMDs.

An electronic survey including questions on respondent demographics, history and patterns of PRMDs, and potential drummer-specific risk factors for reporting PRMDs was distributed via social media using a snowball sampling technique. The target population included individuals aged 18 years or older who exclusively played the drum set (minimum 5 hrs/wk). The rates of PRMDs were analyzed by body region (e.g., upper/lower limb, etc.) and by location within body regions (e.g., shoulder, knee joint, etc.).

The lifetime history of PRMDs in the study sample (n=831) was 68%, and 23% reported currently experiencing a PRMD. Most respondents reported multiple PRMDs (59%). The upper limb was the most commonly-affected body region (59%). The wrist joint (25%) and low back (24%) were the most commonly affected locations within body regions.

Drummers' reporting of multiple PRMDs is consistent with previous findings in percussionists, but differences in the lifetime histories and patterns of injury supports the notion that risk factors may differ between percussion subgroups. Analysis of survey responses pertaining to drummer-specific risk factors is currently underway.