Feasibility and impact of a musculoskeletal health for musicians (MHM) program for musician students: A randomized controlled pilot study

Abstract

Background: There is a high incidence of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians that may be reduced via education programs. However, the efficacy of formalized injury prevention programs has not been rigorously studied.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility and effect of a formalized injury prevention education workshop on incidence and severity of musculoskeletal pain in a cohort of musician-students attending an intensive summer music festival compared to controls.

Study design: Randomized-controlled-pilot trial.

Methods: Musicians at an 8-week long intensive summer festival were randomized to an intervention (workshop) or control group. Workshop attendees participated in a 90-minute session of injury prevention strategies. Musculoskeletal outcome data were collected at the start and end of the festival. Outcomes included presence of musculoskeletal pain, adherence level, and sub-scales of the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians.

Results: A total of 57 musician-students (ages 17-30, 23 females) participated in the study, and 48(84%) completed the study. Seventy-five percent of workshop participants reported adherence over 8 weeks. At baseline, 84% of participants reported a history of playing-related pain, and 47% recent or current pain. Participants played a range of instruments (50% string, 34% piano, 16% woodwind/brass). At baseline, average weekly reported playing time was 39 hours (±11). At follow-up, reported pain decreased by 32% in the intervention group and increased by 8% in controls (P < .01). Pain interference scores were lower (Post - Pre = -4.58, 95% CI -9.26 to 0.11, P = .055). There was no statistically significant difference between groups for pain intensity.

Conclusions: The high compliance and willingness to participate suggests that injury prevention education implementation is feasible. Our preliminary findings suggest a positive effect on pain incidence and pain interference in the intervention group. Future studies will examine the relationship between adherence levels and injury rates in a larger cohort and identify obstacles to implementation.

Keywords: Injury prevention; Musician injury; Overuse injury; Upper extremity overuse.