Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders among violin players – a cross-sectional study

Background:
Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD) are an often-reported problem in the literature. PRMD are usually defined as pain, numbness, weakness, paresthesia, or other feelin gs affecting the musician's performance.

Aims:
The study aimed to assess the epidemiology of PRMD among violin players in relation to their age, sex, and experience. Additio nally, the analysis covered prevention strategies.

Material and methods:
A total of 70 musicians (Me 24 years, IQR 18-30) were enrolled in the study (with an advantage of women – 83%). The study was carried out with an online questionnaire based on the modified Standardized Nordic Questionnaires for the Analysis of Musculoskeletal Symptoms (SNQ). The questionnaire was equip ped with additional questions regarding the prevention strategies used by the respondents.

Results:
The majority of the respondents (53 people, 76%) confir med to have sustained a PRMD in the period of the last 12 mon ths. Reported PRMD were significantly related with sex (women at higher risk) and specific body locations such as the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as shoulder joints/arms. They did not corre late with the inability to carry out day-to-day activities but had an effect on musical performance (p<0.001). Most of the respondents with PRMD resorted to the help of a medical specialist, of which physiotherapist was found to be highly effective according to their subjective assessment.

Conclusion:
PRMD constitute a serious problem among violin play ers. Physiotherapy plays an important role in minimizing the ef fects of PRMD