Between pain and technique: musculoskeletal symptoms and training for self-care among musicians

• Grant number: 20/12848-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Arts - Music
• Principal Investigator: Ana Beatriz de Oliveira
• Grantee: Pablo Henrique Nunes Martins
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

According to the literature, the attention to the physical and psychological health of musicians increased from the 80's, when renowned musicians exposed their musculoskeletal problems. Since then, investigations on this topic began to be published, presenting exercises and techniques for preventing and minimizing injuries. However, its effects on improving the health of musicians need further study, asking the instrumentalists about the knowledge and use of such techniques. Thus, the objective of the present study is to identify whether amateur and professional musicians: 1) have musculoskeletal symptoms and, if so, which regions are most frequently affected; 2) are aware of strategies that minimize the effort during the execution of the instrument; if they have this knowledge 3) what strategies they know and how they acquired the information and if 4) they use the strategies they know to improve musculoskeletal well-being and prevent the development of injuries. Secondarily, it will be possible to evaluate the predictive role of the investigated variables in the development of musculoskeletal symptoms. According to the literature, the hypotheses raised are that musicians have musculoskeletal symptoms and, in general, are unaware of techniques that can help prevent their development. Still, it is expected that those who know such techniques have acquired information due to injuries they have developed over their experience. It is also expected that, in the case of professional musicians, some teacher was responsible for transferring his/her knowledge, without this being foreseen in the musicians' curricular structure. Finally, it is expected that the knowledge about the prevention of symptoms and musculoskeletal injury is superficial and rarely incorporated by musicians in their musical practice. The results of the research may support the development of strategies in musical education that assist musicians in preventing symptoms and musculoskeletal injuries related to musical practice.