Musculoskeletal and psychological assessments used in quantitatively based studies about musicians' health in brass players: A systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Brass players are exposed to high musculoskeletal strains during their instrumental play. Various assessments can be used to measure these strains, whereby a targeted therapy can also be supported. The aim of this study was to review literature concerning assessments used in quantitatively based studies about the analysis of musculoskeletal loads of brass players. DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro as well as the journal "Medical Problems of Performing Artists" were searched for relevant studies. STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria to select potential studies. A third reviewer was involved in the case of discrepancies. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted the data. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 73 studies conducted between 2004 and 2019 were included. Within a total of 30 studies, 18 assessments could be found that collect 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional kinematic data using video- or image-based analysis of posture, sonographic, optoelectronic and various electromagnetic systems. In 7 studies kinetic data were measured by force-transducers, pressure platforms, stabilizer and dynamometer. Fifteen studies used clinical examinations and additional assessments to screen individual body regions and 9 studies derived electromyography measurements from a total of 25 muscles. Thirty-one partially validated questionnaires were used to record musculoskeletal pain of brass players. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of assessments can be used to optimize analysis and treatment procedures in research and clinical work. Future studies should both examine quality criteria of the various assessment methods and validate clinical examinations and questionnaires.

Do exercises with the Foam Roller have a short-term impact on the thoracolumbar fascia? - A randomized controlled trial.

Due to new research results in the past few years, interest in the fascia of the human body has increased. Dysfunctions of the fascia are indicated by various symptoms, amongst others, musculoskeletal pain. As a result stronger focus has been put on researching therapeutic approaches in this area. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Foam Roll exercises on the mobility of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF). Study has been conducted in a randomized and controlled trial which sampled 38 healthy athletic active men and women. The subjects were randomly assigned to a Foam Roll Group (FMG), a Placebo Group (PG) and a Control Group (CG). Depending on the assigned group the volunteers were either instructed to do exercises with the Foam Roll, received a pseudo treatment with the Foam Roll or received no treatment. A total of three measurements were carried out. The most important field of research was the mobility of the TLF, which was determined using a sonographic assessment. In addition the lumbar flexion and the mechanosensivity of relevant muscles were determined. After the intervention, the FMG showed an average increase of 1.7915 mm for the mobility of the TLF (p < 0.001/d = 0.756). In contrast, only an average improvement of 0.1681 mm (p = 0.397) was shown in the PG, while the CG showed a slight improvement of 0.0139 mm (p = 0.861). However, no significant changes were observed with regard to the lumbar flexion and mechanosensivity of the treated muscles. Thus, evidence is that the use of Foam Roll exercises significantly improves the mobility of the thoracolumbar fascia in a healthy young population.

Trigger point treatment with radial shock waves in musicians with nonspecific shoulder-neck pain: data from a special physio outpatient clinic for musicians.

UNLABELLED: Musicians often suffer from disorders of the musculoskeletal system that are related to their instrument playing. Among the most frequent symptoms are complaints in the shoulder-neck area. Radial shock wave therapy is increasingly used in trigger point treatment, but only few high-level studies have examined of shock wave therapy used together with physical therapy in the treatment of musicians. METHODS: This randomized blinded study in musicians (n = 26) with nonspecific shoulder-neck problems was done to examine the effect of shock wave therapy in addition to current physical therapy on the symptoms and quality of life of the musicians as well as their habits of playing musical instruments (intervention group shock wave vs reference group placebo). The effects were documented by a pain VAS and other instruments. A questionnaire designed specifically for musicians (with initial and final questions) recorded intensity and manifestation of pain and handicaps in daily life, especially when practicing and playing. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the Neck Pain Disability Index Questionnaire (NPDIQ) were also used. RESULTS: Both groups reported subjective improvement in pain, but significance was found only for the intervention group for the SPADI and NPDIQ. CONCLUSIONS: Trigger point treatment with radial shock wave used in combination with physical therapy makes the subjects feel temporarily relieved of neck and shoulder pains. The effects of radial shock wave without physical therapy will need to be examined in further studies.