Musculoskeletal Pain in Trombonists: Results from the UNT Trombone Health Survey.
The trombone is a popular, versatile, and unique member of the brass family of musical instruments. Yet the musculoskeletal health concerns of trombonists are grossly understudied. The purpose of this study was to develop and apply a novel online research strategy for assessing musical and non-musical demographics along with prevalence, frequency, intensity, quality, timing, and location of site-specific trombone-related pain. Of the 316 trombonist respondents to this open survey, 76.6% (n=242) experienced trombone-related pain in one or more sites over the past year. Lip was the site with the highest prevalence rate for pain (23%). Selected pain sites were outlined in three primary clusters of musculoskeletal sites: 1) the lips and jaw region, 2) left upper extremity, and 3) back region. Over 35% (n=114) reported that trombone-related pain prevented playing their instrument. Site-specific characteristics of pain suggest that future epidemiologic studies seek to better understand location-specific intensity, frequency, quality, and timing of pain. Such details will assist educators, performers, and clinicians understand, prevent, and treat musculoskeletal problems associated with learning and performing musical instruments.
College of Music, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX 76203, USA. Tel 951-768-6119. EEWallaceBB@gmail.com.
Eric
E
Wallace
Derek
D
Klinge
Kris
K
Chesky
D000328:Adult; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009146:Music; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult