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Musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions of instrumental musicians
F J Bejjani1, G M Kaye, M Benham
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, 07103, USA.
Insights
Musicians experience unique patterns of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions, impacting their careers. This review synthesizes recent literature on these conditions in performing artists.
Area of Science:
- Performing Arts Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Neurology
Background:
- Performing Arts Medicine addresses injuries in dancers, instrumentalists, and vocalists.
- Musicians face unique challenges regarding musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent literature (approx. 10 years) on musician's musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions.
- To review incidence, prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and biomechanics.
Main Methods:
- Literature search for relevant English articles by physicians/scientists.
- Inclusion of fundamental older articles; exclusion of incidental case reports.
- Review of various study types including series, case studies, surveys, and clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Musicians' conditions share similarities with the general workforce but have unique occurrence patterns.
- The impact of these conditions on a musician's life and career is significant.
- Much of the reviewed literature relies on clinical experience rather than rigorous controlled studies.
Conclusions:
- Performing Arts Medicine research highlights unique aspects of musician's health.
- Further high-quality, controlled research is needed for a critical review.
- Understanding these conditions is vital for musician well-being and career longevity.
Abstract:
Performing Arts Medicine is a broad field that includes the study of medical conditions and injuries incurred by dancers, instrumental musicians, and vocalists. This article summarizes the most relevant literature of approximately the past 10 years concerning the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions of musicians. A literature search was done for relevant articles in English by physicians or scientists. Some older, but fundamental, articles are included; incidental case reports were excluded to the extent possible. Included were articles on incidence, prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and biomechanical studies in musicians. Although nearly all of these conditions are the same ones seen in the general work force, it is clear that their occurrence patterns in the professional musician are unique, as is their impact on the life and livelihood of the patient. The content of the Arts Medicine literature does not permit a truly critical review. Research in the last 10 years appears not to have been done in a true blinded, random case-controlled fashion. Many authors support their statements with only their respective clinical experiences. The research cited here includes 58 series, 9 case studies, 5 surveys, 2 pre/post intervention studies, and 1 double-blind crossover clinical trial.