Measurement of a number of indices of hand and movement angles in pianists with overuse disorders

Interaction between hand span and different sizes of keyboards on EMG activity in pianists: An observational study

The availability of keyboards with reduced key width has been recently promoted as an ergonomic aid for small-handed pianists to overcome any potential physical disadvantages that may restrict their piano repertoire. However, a lack of biomechanical data exists to support whether reduced piano key size is effective in achieving this outcome. This research investigates the effect of playing on three different key width size pianos (5.5-inch octave, 6.0-inch octave and conventional size with 6.5-inch octave) on hand, arm and shoulder muscle activity levels according to the hand size of the pianists. Results indicate that piano key size affects the muscle activity levels of selected muscles. Furthermore, this effect of different key sizes changed according to the players' hand spans. Small-handed pianists may benefit from using smaller-sized keyboards to reduce muscular exertion during performance. This investigation provides preliminary EMG data supporting the use of different size keyboards to improve the ergonomic fit according to the dimensions of individual pianists.

Ergonomics in violin and piano playing: A systematic review

This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether muscle activity and playing-related musculoskeletal disorders are associated with musicians' anthropometrics and their instrument size or set-up during violin and piano performance. Studies were retrieved systematically from six databases on 1 April 2019 combined with hand searching results. The Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS tool) was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included papers. A total of twenty articles were identified. Most included studies focussed on either the adjustment of the shoulder rest in violinists, or the hand size in pianists. However, methodological quality was inconsistent. The electromyography data reported by the included studies were not appropriately processed and interpreted. Studies generally reported the use of a shoulder rest changes muscle activity and smaller hand size is correlated to increased playing-related musculoskeletal disorders incidence. However, no conclusions can be drawn due to heterogeneity and low quality of methodology in the available literature.

Metacarpal Abduction Orthosis for Patients With the Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis

Purpose

A specific orthosis to increase radial abduction of the metacarpal of the thumb rather than immobilize it was designed for patients with carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis. This orthosis was designed especially for musicians, who need a large abduction angle of the thumb CMC joint to maintain their hand span to perform music.

Methods

The thumb abduction orthosis was custom-made of flexible polypropylene, leaving the thumb metacarpophalangeal and wrist joints unrestricted and compressing the ulnar side of the thenar muscle to increase the radial abduction angle of the thumb metacarpal. Hand span and grip strength were measured, and clinical symptoms were assessed with the visual analog scale and Quick–Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score. The Tubiana and Chamagne score was used to assess musical performance.

Results

A total of 23 thumbs of 19 professional musicians with CMC joint osteoarthritis were placed in an orthosis. The radial abduction angle of the thumb CMC joint, grip strength, and hand span were significantly increased or enlarged after bracing. Clinical symptoms evaluated by visual analog score, Quick–Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, and Tubiana and Chamagne score also improved.

Conclusions

Placement of a metacarpal abduction orthosis improved the hand span and improved patient-reported outcomes.

Type of study/level of evidence

Therapeutic IV.

Musculoskeletal disorders and complaints in professional musicians: a systematic review of prevalence, risk factors, and clinical treatment effects

PURPOSE

Musicians' practice and performance routines reportedly lead to musculoskeletal complaints and disorders (MCD) that impact their wellbeing and performance abilities. This systematic review aims to assess the prevalence, risk factors, prevention and effectiveness of treatments for MCD in professional musicians and consider the methodological quality of the included studies.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in December 2017 using electronic databases and supplemented by a hand search. Case-control studies, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, interventional studies and case reports investigating the prevalence, risk factors, prevention or treatment effects of MCD in professional musicians or music students (age ≥ 16 years) were included. Quality assessments of the included studies were performed using an adapted version of the "Study Quality Assessment Tools" from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

RESULTS

One case-control study, 6 cohort studies, 62 cross-sectional studies, 12 interventional studies and 28 case reports were included and assessed for methodological quality. The study designs, terminology, and outcomes were heterogeneous, as the analyses mostly did not control for major confounders, and the definition of exposure was often vague. Therefore, evidence that being a professional musician is a risk factor for MCD as well as the causal relationship between these factors remains low despite the fact that a large number of studies have been performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies with high internal and external validity regarding the prevalence, risk factors and effectiveness of the prevention or treatment of MCD in professional musicians are still missing. Further high-quality observational and interventional studies are required.