Professional Orchestra Musicians Research Articles

The Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians: Assessment of Patient-Related Outcomes among Professional Orchestra Musicians in Poland-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is one of the reasons for a musician's inability to play an instrument. An assessment of the localization, intensity, and interference of those complaints is important among musicians because of the risk of occupational disease. Assessment by validated tools is especially important and serves as an indicator to take up proper preventive or treatment actions. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) and the relationships with PRMDs' impact on playing musical instruments among Polish professional orchestra musicians. Methods: The study was conducted on a group of professional orchestra musicians (age 37.19 ± 9.62 years), 99 (55%) women and 83 (45%) men. Work experience in professional orchestra was 18.3 ± 9.83 years and the reported years of playing musical instrument were 31.4 ± 9.50. The study used the online version of a musician-dedicated questionnaire, Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians of the Polish Population (MPIIQM-P). Results: In the study group, 89.9% of women and 83.1% of men had experienced playing-related pain in their lifetime. The most intense pain among the group with current playing-related musculoskeletal complaints (n = 85) was located in the neck area for 19 (22.4%). Conclusions: The results of the study indicate a high prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal problems among professional musicians.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated factors among professional orchestra musicians in Norway.

Orchestra musicians have a high risk of experiencing musculoskeletal problems. These problems may lead to sleep and psychological disturbance. This study investigated the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among orchestra musicians and the coherence between pain and predictors such as gender, age and instrument. Further, the impact of pain on sleep and mental health was analysed to assess pain as a predictor threatening musicians' wellbeing. Some 358 musicians in eight different professional orchestras in Norway completed a questionnaire. Questions about pain experienced within the last 30 days were based on a national survey. Standardised screening tools like the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) and Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS) were used to assess psychological distress and sleeping problems. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyse the differences in the pain-related variables: experienced pain severity (EPS), number of pain areas, and work being perceived as the source of pain based on age. Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to evaluate the statistical significance between gender and the pain-related variables. Spearman's rank correlations were used to examine the relationship between EPS and BIS, HSCL-25 and pain area. Additionally, simple linear regression models were employed to determine whether EPS can predict higher scores on the HSCL-25 and BIS scales. The prevalence of MSP experienced in the last 30 days among orchestra musicians in Norway was 85%. Musicians experienced frequent pain regardless of their gender, age or instrument group. Neck, shoulders and upper back represented the most reported pain areas. Further, it was observed that increased EPS was correlated with an increase in the number of pain areas and in work being perceived as the source of pain. EPS significantly predicted sleep- and psychological distress. Orchestra musicians have a high risk of encountering MSP. Furthermore, their psychological distress and sleeping problems seem to be related to experienced MSP. To deliver optimal health, these problems should be handled simultaneously.

Questionnaire for Orchestra Musicians: Validation of the Online Version of the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Polish Musicians (MPIIQM-P).

Background: The only complete and validated tool for evaluating professional orchestra musicians is the English-language Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for professional orchestra Musicians (MPIIQM) questionnaire, which, in recent years, has been translated, adapted, and validated in other languages. The aim of the study was to validate the online version of the Polish version of the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM-P). Materials and Methods: The group included 182 professional musicians. The respondents were asked to complete the MPIIQM-P, BPI, and QuickDash questionnaires twice within an interval of 4 days. The questionnaires were created in the web form creator-Google Form. Results: The EFA analysis showed a two-factor structure of the questionnaire consisting of factor 1-pain intensity and factor 2-pain interference. The internal agreement of the factors identified in the EFA analysis was measured by the α Cronbach index reaching from 0.813 to 0.913. The intraclass correlation coefficient of both factors ranged from 0.276 to 0.583. The analysis of convergent and divergent validity between the subscales of the questionnaire value ranged from 0.414 to 0.925. Conclusions: The online version of the MPIIQM-P questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of musculoskeletal pain and interference. The online MPIIQM-P questionnaire maintains the psychometric properties previously defined for the paper version.

Personality traits in musicians with different types of music performance anxiety.

This study investigated the relationship between personality traits and MPA in the course of a specific performance. For this purpose, symptoms of MPA, functional coping with MPA and performance-related self-efficacy of a sample of 393 musicians including 23% professional, 49% non-professional orchestra musicians and 28% singers in amateur choirs were categorized and then used to analyze differences in the personality traits. The questionnaires used were the NEO-FFI and the PQM. The results showed that professional orchestra musicians had significantly higher openness and conscientiousness than non-professional orchestra musicians and amateur choir singers. Musicians who had few symptoms of MPA, positive coping with MPA and high self-efficacy across a specific performance (Type 1) have low neuroticism in their personality traits. Regarding MPA, the personality traits were correlated with all MPA scales after the performance but less with MPA scales before and during the performance. Results could indicate that personality traits play a particularly important role in the processing of performance experiences after the performance and suggest focusing on the situation after the performance in particular with professional orchestra musicians.

French Version of the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Professional Orchestra Musicians (MPIIQM-F): Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Preliminary Validation.

The Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Professional Orchestra Musicians (MPIIQM) is a prominent patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) in the musicians' health literature. It has been published in at least four languages, but not in French. To cross-culturally adapt the MPIIQM into French and establish the preliminary psychometric properties (validity, reliability, and responsiveness) of the MPIIQM-F. Standardized cross-cultural adaptation methods included forward translations, an expert committee, and verbal field tests in the target population. Psychometric properties were assessed in a population of French-speaking professional orchestra musicians who participated in three evaluation sessions. Evaluated properties include content, face, structural and construct validity, reliability (internal consistency, test-retest reliability, minimal detectable change [MDC], measurement error), and responsiveness (effect size and standardized response means [SRM]). Sixty-one French-speaking orchestra musicians participated in the psychometric validation. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution equivalent to previous versions, confirming the Pain Intensity and Interference subscales. Spearman correlations for construct validity were as hypothesized for four of six hypotheses (minor deviances for the other two hypotheses) using the Brief Pain Inventory, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Performing Arts Module, and PROMIS Global Health Scale as comparators. Reliability results demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's a=0.84-0.89), excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.91-0.97), and small measurement error with MDC for the overall scale <10%. Responsiveness resulted in moderate to large effect sizes and SRM (0.54-0.87). Preliminary validation of the MPIIQM-F suggests good validity, reliability, and responsiveness, indicating its suitability for use in French-speaking orchestra musicians.

Patient-reported outcome measures of musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors in musicians: a systematic review of psychometric properties.

To systematically review patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of musicians' musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and psychosocial factors and their psychometric properties. Six databases were searched. Studies evaluating at least one psychometric property of a PROM developed for or adapted to adult musicians and measuring MSS or occupational psychosocial factors were included. Study quality was evaluated using mainly the COSMIN checklist. Twenty-eight studies were included, yielding 27 PROMs. Most COSMIN scores are Doubtful or Inadequate. Validity and internal consistency are the most evaluated psychometric properties. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in five studies (all inadequate sample sizes), measurement error in one, and responsiveness in none. The English, German and Polish Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for professional orchestra Musicians (MPIIQM), the 40-item English and Peruvian Spanish Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (KMPAI) and the Psychosocial Risks Questionnaire for Musicians (PRQM, Polish) are the most robust scales for their constructs. Their internal consistency is sufficient (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.70). Test-retest reliability and construct validity are only sufficient for the German MPIIQM (intraclass correlation coefficients ≥ 0.70). However, results are based on one study per PROM; all require further validation before validity, reliability and responsiveness can be confirmed. Due to generally poor methodological quality and one study per PROM on average, none can be confirmed valid, reliable and responsive. Yet, preliminary validation recommends prudent use of some PROMs pending further validation. Robust PROM studies are needed to fill the important literature gap regarding musician-specific, validated PROMs.

Prevalence of Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Problems Among Professional Orchestra Musicians in South Africa: A Study Using the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM)

The prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal problems (PRMPs) in professional musicians is well documented in the literature, but few studies have been done on South African professional musicians. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of PRMPs, pain intensity, and pain interference among full-time and part-time orchestral musicians, using a validated self-report instrument specifically designed for musicians. Seventy-nine full-time and part-time professional orchestral musicians took part in the study and completed the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM). A lifetime prevalence of PRMPs was 76% and point prevalence 30%. Of the PRMP group, 30% experienced current pain that interfered with their ability to play. Upper strings players reported the most PRMPs. The most commonly reported pain locations were right and left upper limb, neck, fore¬arm, and elbow. The mean pain intensity score for the PRMP group was 16.3 (SD 6.62) (out of 40) and the mean pain interference score was 21.2 (9.98) (out of 50). Female musicians reported experiencing pain more frequently and intensely and also reported more pain sites than males. This study, the first to make use of a validated self-report instrument, shows that musculoskeletal problems are common among full-time and part-time professional orchestral musicians in South Africa.

Brazilian Version of the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM-Br): Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties.

The present study aimed to adapt and validate the self-report tool named Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM-Br) into the Brazilian Portuguese language for professional orchestra musicians. The cross-cultural adaptation process was divided into nine steps. Five experts evaluated the equivalences among versions and the content validity ratio (CVR). The structural validity was verified by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Construct validity was checked by convergent/divergent validity by comparing the results obtained by the MPIIQM-Br, the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire-optional module (DASH-PAM), and the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI). Finally, reliability was tested with internal consistency and test-retest reliability. In total, 273 professional orchestra musicians (137 males) participated. The researchers found good equivalence among versions, and the CVR reached 0.99. EFA (n=212) showed that the MPIIQM-Br had two factors that explained 70% of the total variance. The convergent validity confirmed a strong positive correlation (r>0.7) and the divergent validity established a low correlation (r<0.4). Both internal consistency (Cronbach's a=0.90) and temporal stability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.84) obtained high values. The psychometric evaluation showed a two-dimensional structure, internal consistency, and temporal stability similar to the original tool and the German and Polish versions of the MPIIQM. However, the pain prevalence rates among Brazilian musicians were higher. Extreme informality and the growing demotivation may explain these findings. The MPIIQM-Br is a transcultural equivalent, reliable, and valid tool for the measurement and evaluation of pain and pain interference among professional orchestra musicians.

Classifying Different Types of Music Performance Anxiety.

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a commonly present topic among musicians. Most studies on MPA investigated effects of a more general occurrence of MPA on performances. Less is known about individual variations of MPA within a performance, more specifically at the times before, during, and after the performance. This study used a questionnaire to investigate these performance times in order to find out if there occur different types in the variation of the perceived MPA across the performance. The study was performed with 532 musicians; 27% of them being professional orchestra musicians, 45% non-professional orchestra musicians, and 28% non-professional choir singers. The musicians were asked to fill in the Performance-specific Questionnaire for Musicians (PQM) immediately after a performance. The questionnaire contains three scales regarding symptoms of MPA, functional coping with MPA and performance-related self-efficacy. A cluster analysis was performed on the PQM scales to identify systematic variations. Findings indicate that there are three different types of MPA in the sample studied. Type 1 describes musicians who have few symptoms of MPA throughout the performance, show functional coping with MPA, and have a stable and well-developed self-efficacy. Type 2 describes musicians who begin their performance with rather high symptoms of MPA but can positively reduce these by the end of the performance and show high values in self-efficacy and in functional coping. Type 3 contains musicians who begin their performance with some symptoms of MPA, which increase to the end of the performance. The values of self-efficacy and functional coping in this type are rather low. Of the total sample, half of the musicians were assigned to Type 1 and approximately a quarter each to Type 2 (27%) and Type 3 (23%). In accordance with the literature, the results confirm the importance of self-efficacy and functional coping for a positive performance experience.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians of the Polish Population (MPIIQM-P).

BackgroundThe aim of the study was the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians.Material/MethodsThe process consisted of the following stages: forward translation, backward translation, analysis by committee of experts, pretest of Polish-language version of questionnaire, and cross-cultural validation: psychometric evaluation. In the last step, a convenience sample of 31 professional orchestra musicians (professional experience 16.7±9.5 years) was used to validate the new tool. The primary study outcome measurements were construct validity and internal consistency as measured by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively.ResultsA final Polish version of the questionnaire was developed. Using EFA, the 2-factor structure (pain intensity and pain interference) was obtained, taking into account all 9 items, explaining about 76% of the total variance. The pain interference and pain intensity factors were characterized by high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.923 and 0.784, respectively). The lifetime prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders was 87%.ConclusionsTranslation and a cross-cultural adaptation of the Polish version of the questionnaire was successfully completed. The results obtained show a correctly carried-out validation process, but further testing of the tool is suggested. The Polish-language version of the validated tool can be used in scientific and clinical practice. The next step would be to estimate cutoff values for severity of health status in orchestra musicians.

Uncertainty in tuning evaluation with low-register complex tones of orchestra instruments

The relationship between perceived pitch and harmonic spectrum in complex tones is ambiguous. In this study, 31 professional orchestra musicians participated in a listening experiment where they adjusted the pitch of complex low-register successively presented tones to unison. Tones ranged from A0 to A2 (27.6–110 Hz) and were derived from acoustic instrument samples at three different dynamic levels. Four orchestra instruments were chosen as sources of the stimuli; double bass, bass tuba, contrabassoon, and contrabass clarinet. In addition, a sawtooth tone with 13 harmonics was included as a synthetic reference stimulus. The deviation of subjects’ tuning adjustments from unison tuning was greatest for the lowest tones, but remained unexpectedly high also for higher tones, even though all participants had long experience in accurate tuning. Preceding studies have proposed spectral centroid and Terhardt’s virtual pitch theory as useful predictors of the influence of the envelope of a harmonic spectrum on the perceived pitch. However, neither of these concepts were supported by our results. According to the principal component analysis of spectral differences between the presented tone pairs, the contrabass clarinet-type spectrum, where every second harmonic is attenuated, lowered the perceived pitch of a tone compared with tones with the same fundamental frequency but a different spectral envelope. In summary, the pitches of the stimuli were perceived as undefined and highly dependent on the listener, spectrum, and dynamic level. Despite their high professional level, the subjects did not perceive a common, unambiguous pitch of any of the stimuli. The contrabass clarinet-type spectrum lowered the perceived pitch.

Violists and Violinists Report More Intense Hand Pain on NRS Than Other Orchestra Musicians.

Among musicians, string players have the highest prevalence for musculoskeletal overuse. Playing a violin or viola requires rapid, repetitive, and complicated movements of the hands and fingers. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine whether violin/viola, violin/cello, and violin/French horn players experience more intense musculoskeletal pain than other instrumentalists. The study sample consisted of 590 orchestra musicians (354 male, 236 female, mean age 36 yrs). Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess pain of the back, neck, shoulder, face, jaw, and upper extremity. Pain intensity during the last 7 days was measured by an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) with a score from 0 to 10, as well as was disadvantage at work and leisure. Of the interviewed musicians, 20% presented playing-related musculoskeletal disorders at the time of the interview. Compared to other professional orchestra musicians, violin and viola players reported significantly more intense pain in the hand during the last week. Also, they had experienced more frequent neck pain ever and in 5 years than the others. During the past 30 days, violin and viola players had also perceived more harm in their upper limb joints. Violin/cello and violin/French horn players did not differ from the others. Our study showed that musicians playing the violin or viola have more intense hand pain and more frequent neck pain than other musicians, but these seem to disturb their daily tasks only a little.

Musculoskeletal pain among Finnish orchestra musicians versus core workforce.

Professional musicians show a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, but information is limited about prevalence of pain compared to the general populations. Our cross-sectional epidemiological study compared the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain between professional orchestra musicians and the working population in Finland. Musicians with a permanent contract with all domestic professional symphony and philharmonic orchestras and a population sample of the workforce in Finland completed questionnaires including the same questions on musculoskeletal pain and on various other issues. Cross-sectional data from two population-based and two orchestra-musician studies were analysed by logistic regression model adjusting for confounding factors. In 2002, 345 musicians completed questionnaires (40% response rate), and in 2010, 195 (23%). The Health 2000 study sample comprised 5956 employed participants and in 2011, 5942. Musicians reported, in 2002 and in 2010, back pain during the past 30 days more often than did controls, 39% versus 27%, adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval, CI) 1.5 (1.2-1.9); shoulder pain, 21% versus 9%, 2.6 (1.9-2.5); elbow pain, 14% versus 5%, 2.9 (2.0-4.2); wrist pain 14% versus 7%, 2.2 (1.5-3.1); and finger pain 13% versus 9%, 2.8 (2.0-3.9). Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain increased with age in controls but not in musicians. Professional orchestra musicians reported more pain in the back and upper extremity than other working people. Future research should focus on explaining differences in the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders between musicians and the general population.

Overnight polysomnography and the recording of sleep and sleep-related respiration in orchestra musicians - possible protective effects of wind instruments on respiration.

Our study is the first to objectively assess sleep and sleep-related respiration in orchestra musicians. We hypothesized low sleep quality due to high work demands and irregular work-sleep schedules, and a better respiration for wind instrument (WI) players than string instrument (SI) players due to habitual upper airway muscles training. We recorded overnight polysomnography with 29 professional orchestra musicians (21 men, 14 WI/ 15 SI). The musicians presented a sleep efficiency of 88% (IQR 82–92%) with WI having a significant higher sleep efficiency than SI (89%, 85–93% vs. 85%, 74–89%; p = 0.029). The group had a total sleep time around 6 hours (377min, 340-421min) with signs of increased NREM 1 (light sleep) and decreased REM (dream sleep). The musicians displayed an apnea-hypopnea-index of 2.1events/hour (0.7–5.5) and an oxygen saturation of 98% (97–100%). While SI player exhibited declining sleep-related respiration with age (breathing events: r = 0.774, p = 0.001, oxygen: r = -0.647, p = 0.009), WI player showed improved respiration with age (breathing events: r = -0.548, p = 0.043; oxygen: r = 0.610, p = 0.020). Our study is the first objective investigation of sleep pattern and respiration during sleep with overnight polysomnography in professional orchestra musicians. While sleep and respiration were unexpectedly good, our results revealed possible signs of sleep deprivation and an interesting age-related pattern on respiration depending on instrument. While sample size was small and results modest, these findings present first objective evidence towards the assumption that habitual playing of a WI–and training of the upper airway muscles–may have a protective effect on respiration.

Effect of a rehabilitation program on performance-related musculoskeletal disorders in student and professional orchestral musicians: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To explore the feasibility of a rehabilitation program and its effect on the performance-related musculoskeletal symptoms and functional limitations of orchestral musicians. Design: Single-blind pilot randomized controlled trial with exercise group and control group. Setting: Workplace of professional symphony orchestra and tertiary-level conservatory orchestral musicians. Participants: Professional and student orchestral musicians with or without performance-related musculoskeletal disorders. Interventions: A rehabilitation program including an educational presentation, an 11-week home exercise program and three supervised exercise sessions, versus no intervention. Measures: Feasibility measures included adherence and drop-out rate. The Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for professional orchestra Musicians (MPIIQM) measured symptom intensity and functional limitations, while the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) measured symptom prevalence and frequency. Results: A total of 30 participants were recruited (n = 15 per group). Exercise group adherence was 97.7% for the supervised sessions and 89% for the home exercise program. There were no drop-outs. Significant group-time interactions were obtained for both the pain intensity (partial η2 = 0.166; P = 0.025) and pain interference (partial η2 = 0.186; P = 0.017) sections of the MPIIQM. Mean (standard deviation) pain intensity score changes from baseline to 11 weeks were control group: 0.40 (5.04); P = 0.763; partial η2 = 0.007; and exercise group: –4.07 (5.31); P = 0.010; partial η2 = 0.386. For pain interference, mean score changes were control group: 0.20 (9.10); P = 0.933; partial η2 = 0.001; and exercise group: –9.00 (10.73); P = 0.006; partial η2 = 0.430. NMQ analyses revealed no significant interaction (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Results suggest that the studied program is feasible and effective in decreasing the intensity and functional impact of musicians’ symptoms. However, no significant medium-term effect on the prevalence and frequency of symptoms was shown.

Leading toward harmony – Different types of conflict mediate how followers’ perceptions of transformational leadership are related to job satisfaction and performance

Conflict has negative effects on employees' job satisfaction and performance. Transformational leadership, on the other hand, has been shown to have strong positive relations with both job satisfaction and performance, but is negatively related to conflicts at the workplace. However, up to now how these different factors influence one another remains unclear. With this study, we take a closer look at the role of conflict and focus on task and relationship conflicts as possible mediators between transformational leadership and job satisfaction on the one hand and performance on the other. Data from professional orchestra musicians in German-speaking countries were used, as transformational leadership is often likened to the method of leadership found in orchestras. Structural equation modeling indicated that task conflict mediated the effect of transformational leadership on performance and relationship conflict mediated the effect of transformational leadership on job satisfaction. Implications and limitations are discussed.

Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Finnish Professional Orchestra Musicians.

The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms is high among professional musicians (73-88%). We investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in Finnish symphony orchestra musicians. We compared individual instruments as well as the perceived demands of orchestral programs and difficulties in recovering after performances. In this cross-sectional questionnaire 920 of 2,785 members of the Finnish Musicians' Union (33%) completed the questionnaire, including 361 full-time members of symphony orchestras. Questions about pain symptoms and frequency were based on the national survey done in 2011. Among the 361 full-time orchestra musicians, those playing all instruments experienced frequent pain, both in the last 30 days and exceeding 30 days in the last 12 months, in their neck or upper extremities. Female musicians experienced significantly more neck (69%), elbow (31%), and wrist (30%) pain than males (neck 52%, elbow 23%, wrist 19%). The profiles varied according to the different instruments and their playing positions. Musculoskeletal symptoms correlated with perceived demand of the orchestral program and difficulties in recovering after performances. Professional musicians experienced nearly twice as often neck pain in the last 30 days (female musicians 69%, male musicians 52%) than persons of the same age in the Finnish working population (female 41%, male 27%). Symphony orchestra musicians experience nearly twice as much musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck and upper extremities as others their age. To prevent musicians' playing-related problems, special emphasis should be focused on recovery after concerts, including the special demands of different composers and the frequency of rehearsals and performances.

Is Alcohol Consumption Associated with Job Strain Among Professional Musicians?

To assess the strength of the relationship between alcohol consumption and job strain experienced by professional musicians. Cross-sectional survey among professional orchestra musicians (n=1,550, response rate 41%, data available for 590 respondents). The difference between groups with and without job strain was assessed by two-way analysis of variance. The median alcohol consumption was 48 g/wk (range 1-648, IQR 12-96). There were only 25 (4%) heavy drinkers, defined as people who consume >210 g of pure alcohol a week. The average frequency of drinking was 2.1 times/wk (SD 2.0, range 0-7). Of the respondents, 125 (21%) reported an elevated level of job strain as defined by the responses to Job Content Questionnaire. There was no significant interaction between the effects of gender and job strain on alcohol consumption: F(1, 586) = 0.82, p=0.365. Simple main effects analysis showed that males were consuming alcohol significantly more than females were (p=0.0005), but there were no differences between participants with elevated level of job strain compared with the rest of the sample (p=0.546). The amount of alcohol consumed was not associated with the presence or absence of perceived occupational strain among professional orchestra musicians.

Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders among professional orchestra musicians in Scotland – A prevalence study using a validated instrument: The musculoskeletal pain intensity and interference questionnaire for musicians (MPIIQM)

Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders among professional orchestra musicians in Scotland – A prevalence study using a validated instrument: The musculoskeletal pain intensity and interference questionnaire for musicians (MPIIQM)

Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Problems Among Professional Orchestra Musicians in Scotland: A Prevalence Study Using a Validated Instrument, the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM).

Many epidemiological surveys on playing-related musculoskeletal problems (PRMPs) have been carried out on professional musicians, but none have evaluated or confirmed the psychometric properties of the instruments that were used. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of PRMPs among professional orchestra musicians and to gather information on pain intensity and pain interference on function and psychosocial variables, using a self-report instrument developed and validated specifically for a population of professional orchestra musicians. Out of 183 professional orchestra players, 101 took part in the study (55% response rate) and completed the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM). Lifetime prevalence of PRMPs was 77.2%, 1-year prevalence was 45.5%, and point prevalence was 36.6%. Of the PRMP group, 43% reported having pain in three or more locations, most commonly the right upper limb, neck, and left forearm and elbow. However, predominant sites of PRMPs varied between instrument groups. The mean pain intensity score for the PRMP group was 12.4±7.63 (out of 40). The mean pain interference score was 15.2±12.39 (out of 50), increasing significantly with the number of reported pain locations (F=3.009, p=0.044). This study confirms that musculoskeletal complaints are common in elite professional musicians and that the use of an operational definition and a validated self-report instrument allows for more accurate and meaningful estimates of pain prevalence.