Abstract

ALMONACID-CANSECO, Gemma; GIL-BELTRAN, Isabel; LOPEZ-JORGE, Irene  and  BOLANCE-RUIZ, Inmaculada. Musculoskeletal disorders in professional musicians: a review of literature. Med. segur. trab. [online]. 2013, vol.59, n.230, pp.124-145. ISSN 1989-7790.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0465-546X2013000100009.

Introduction: musicians are susceptible to many disorders that affect their professional careers, due to awkward posture, an excess of practice hours, to repetitive movements and psychological stress. The main causes leading to musculoskeletal disorders are those of muscle overload, nerve compressions, and occupational focal dystonias. This group of disorders in musicians is not included in the Spanish Index of Occupational Diseases to this day. Aim: to review the available scientific literature on musculoskeletal disorders in professional musicians, arising from their professional activity. Methods and materials: a bibliographical review of the scientific literature published in the period 2006-2012 is undertaken. MEDLINE, OSH UPDATE, IBECS, the Cochrane Library, Scielo, LILACS, and CISDOC databases were consulted. Results: 24 articles were selected: an experimental study, two systematic reviews, four case-control studies, 16 cross-section studies and one series of cases study. Prevalence rates ranging 25,5%-86% for musculoskeletal disorders were found, with no consensus on risk factors. Main affected body parts were neck, back and arms. Women were more frequently affected, except for focal dystonias, which were more prevalent in men. Conclusions: musculoskeletal disorders are very prevalent among professional musicians. Further research is needed on this area, and there is a need to put a stress on implementation of preventative measures from the very early stages of the development of these disorders. A point of discussion for the inclusion of these disorders in musicians within the Spanish Index of Professional Disorders should be encouraged.

Keywords : Playing-related musculoskeletal disorder; musicians; occupational disease; focal dystonia; prevention.

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