[Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders in the Valencian Community]

There is a relationship between routinely playing an instrument and musculoskeletal disorders. The most important of these disorders is pain. Therefore, playing-related musculoskeletal disorders can be established as a specific occupational problem. The Valencian Community is a region with a well-known musical tradition, in which the health impact of playing an instrument has not been sufficiently identified. The aim of this study was to define the frequency of musculoskeletal pain in music students in our environment and to identify its localization according to the instrument played.

This study included music students in the intermediate or advanced levels of the conservatoires of the Valencian Community. The variables were gathered through a health questionnaire completed by the students. To determine pain intensity, we calculated the mean VAS scores and the pain scores of the SRS-22 and CAVIDRA questionnaires, which have been validated for the Spanish population. Segmental pain localization was studied in the different groups of instruments.

A total of 268 questionnaires were gathered, of which 222 met the inclusion criteria. Playing-related pain or discomfort was reported by 68% of respondents. The most frequently affected system was the musculoskeletal system. The most frequently-reported playing-related symptoms were pain, muscular tension, spasm and fatigue.

A total of 68% of the musicians in this study reported some type of playing-related pain at some time during their studies. Study of the topography of instrument-related pain provides useful data for the design of prevention strategies.