Musculoskeletal health in musicians : epidemiology & biomechanics

Kok, L.M. (2018)

Doctoral Thesis

The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in professional musicians is higher compared to the general population (Odds ratio 2.3): point prevalences in the literature range between 9% and 68%; year prevalences range between 41% and 93%. Female gender is the most important risk factor. Also among amateur musicians musculoskeletal complaints are frequent, the year prevalence of playing-related is 68%. Female gender, a sudden increase in playing time and playing a string instrument were the main risk factors.
Among professional musicians with musculoskeletal complaints, the impact of these complaints on daily functioning is appreciated as more severe, compared non-musicians with musculoskeletal complaints. Also, healthcare usage is higher among musicians with these complaints. Musicians with complaints report worse illness perceptions compared to non-musicians with musculoskeletal complaints.
In the last part of this thesis biomechanical aspects of violin playing are evaluated: Violinists with complaints show more activity of the superficial neck and shoulder muscles while playing the instrument, which is hypothesized to be the result of co-contraction. From a biomechanical point of view, playing without a shoulder rest, or with a shoulder rest with minimal height seems favourable, the latter being subjectively most comfortable by the violinists.

• Musculoskeletal
• Musicians
• Pain
• Epidemiology
• Occupational
• Performing arts
• Musician
• Biomechanical

• All authors: Kok, L.M.
• Supervisor: Nelissen, R.G.H.H.; Harlaar, J.
• Co-supervisor: Huiststede, B.M.A.
• Committee: Kaptein, A.A.; Kloppenburg, G.; Royen, B.J. van; Bulstra, S.K.; Stubbe, J.H.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University
• Date: 2018-11-20
• ISBN (print): 9789493014428