A study into prevention and management of overuse injuries in pianists.

Item

Title
A study into prevention and management of overuse injuries in pianists.
Author(s)
Delgrange, C
Abstract
Background: In the early 20th century, no real treatment existed for piano player disorders that were often dismissed by doctors as they were considered to be linked with “psychological and emotional upset” (Winspur & Parry 1998). Furthermore, musicians didn’t admit to having disorders and disabilities as it could affect their career (Winspur & Parry 1998) so they neglected them. “Performing art medicine” is a relatively new domain of medicine, which consists of studying any injuries and discomfort due to playing an instrument (Winspur & Parry 1998; Zaza 1998). Recent research shows that pianists are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries mainly due to overuse issues linked with their practice habits (Bragge, Bialocerkowski, McMeeken; 2006). However, there is little research on the prevention and treatment management of such overuse injuries (Caldron, Calabrese, Clough, Lederman, William, leatherman, 1986; Heming 2004). Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate how playing techniques, instrument, environment, education, repertoire, practice habits, ergonomics and general posture predispose to overuse injuries, and how female and male pianists are preventing them. The study also investigated the optimal short-term and long-term of such injuries. Method The study is primary data gathering based on a questionnaire following a cross-sectional descriptive design in order to get general information on environmental factors, practice habits, pianists complaint and pianists and if pianists are adopting a preventative actions in their daily practice as well as their management approach. The questionnaire was distributed to pianists via an online survey. A pilot questionnaire was sent to several pianists to ensure ease of understanding and that there would be no problems with consistent data collection with the final questionnaire (there was no validated questionnaire). This increased the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Feedback from the pilot study was used to modify the questionnaire. Results The investigation found no significant association between gender and preventative practice. Regarding management, investigation found no significant association between short-term and its efficacy. However, it seems that there is a more effective long-term treatment management for overuse injuries in pianists which is reviewing hand and back postures, reviewing techniques, Longer warm ups, having regular osteopathic treatment and adapting body position. The closest result to being significant was the association between music repertoire and pain level with a p value equal to 0.06. This means that playing different type of music could affect pain levels in OIS. Discussion and conclusion The primary aim of the study was to investigate how practice habits can prevent overuse injuries in pianists and looking if there is a more effective short-term and long-term treatment management for those discomforts. The global hypothesis H1: There is an association between gender and preventative practice was found to be not significant. Therefore H0: There is no association between gender and preventative practice was accepted. The global hypothesis for management H12: There is an association between pain level and average hours of playing per day was found not significant. Therefore H0 12: There is no association between pain level and average hours of playing per day was accepted. However, it seems that there is a more effective long-term treatment management for overuse injuries in pianists which is reviewing hand and back postures, reviewing techniques, Longer warm ups, having regular osteopathic treatment and adapting body position. Databases used for literature search included the following: PubMed, Google scholar, Medline and science direct. The journals used were mainly peer reviewed. Boolean logic was used combining the following key words: “Overuse injury”, “Overuse syndrome”, “RSI”, “Injury”, “prevention”, “Treatment”, “Rehabilitation, “Management”, “Osteopathy”, “Manual therapy”, “PRMD”, “Piano”, “Musician”, “Pianists” which included the use of the operators: “and” and “or”.
presented at
European School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted
2014
Date Submitted
20.1.2015 16:43:39
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
15490
Inst-Identifier
1229
Keywords
RSI, Musicians, Pianists.
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Delgrange, C, “A study into prevention and management of overuse injuries in pianists.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/674