Hand Discomfort

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to explore preventive and treatment options used by university-level piano students in relieving hand discomfort. The study also explored piano students’ perception on the effectiveness of the selected options. Materials and Methods: This was an exploratory cross-sectional study. Undergraduate and graduate students majoring in piano studies or piano performance were asked to rate their level of hand discomfort using the Borg CR10 (category ratio) scale during a typical week. Students were then asked to indicate their preventive and treatment options used in relieving hand discomfort. Students were also asked to rate the effectiveness of the selected options. Results: The study recruited 105 piano students. There were 69 (65.7%) female and 36 (34.3%) male, with a mean age of 22.5 years (±4.03, range, 18-43). Twenty-three students indicated that they experienced no discomfort at all during a typical week. The remaining 82 students, on average, indicated having weak discomfort (score, 1.57 ± 1.25). Of these, 46 (56.1%) have participated in various preventive activities such as yoga (n = 24, 29.3%), fitness (n = 16, 19.5%), Alexander Technique (n = 11, 13.4%), and so on. It is noted that 16 students have received treatments such as hand therapy, psychological management, and acupuncture (each n = 3, 18.8%). Majority of students (n = 6, 37.5%) reported that the treatments have moderately relieved their discomfort. There is no significant difference in terms of level of discomfort between students who received treatment (score, 1.85 ± 1.33) and those who received no treatment (score, 1.51 ± 1.24). For students who received treatment, level of discomfort is associated positively with treatment options ( r = .59, P = .02). No association exists between level of discomfort and preventive options. Conclusions: Piano playing is often linked to hand discomfort. To overcome this, piano students have opted to participate in various preventive and treatment activities. Given no complete relief of discomfort after treatment was reported by piano students, this issue of hand discomfort warrants specific attention and close examination.