Elena-Romana Gasenzer Richard Parncutt 1 How do musicians deal with their medical problems? their medical problems? Elena-Romana Gasenzer and Richard Parncutt.

Elena-Romana GasenzerElena-Romana GasenzerRichard ParncuttRichard Parncutt

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How do musicians deal withHow do musicians deal with

their medical problems?their medical problems?

Elena-Romana Gasenzer Elena-Romana Gasenzer and Richard Parncuttand Richard Parncutt

University of Graz, AustriaUniversity of Graz, Austria

22Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?

Introduction: Incidence and awareness Introduction: Incidence and awareness of music-medical problemsof music-medical problems

Possible reasons for increase in incidence:Possible reasons for increase in incidence:

Begin: early age Begin: early age

Health: low priority and awarenessHealth: low priority and awareness

Competition, stress: increasingCompetition, stress: increasing

e.g. conservatory entry levele.g. conservatory entry level

We aim to investigate musicians‘We aim to investigate musicians‘

interest interest

knowledgeknowledge

strategies strategies

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Method: ParticipantsMethod: Participants

27 classical western performers27 classical western performers

50 performers were approached via telephone 50 performers were approached via telephone

of which 24 participatedof which 24 participated

90 performer-teacher were asked to approach their students90 performer-teacher were asked to approach their students

of which 3 students participatedof which 3 students participated

age: 18 to 65 yearsage: 18 to 65 years

musical experience: 12 to 55 yearsmusical experience: 12 to 55 years

Number of participants per instrument:Number of participants per instrument:

RecorderRecorder FluteFlute ViolinViolin PianoPiano Clarinet/Clarinet/

SaxophonSaxophon

HornHorn Double Double BassBass

CelloCello

66 44 55 66 22 11 11 22

Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?

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Age, sex, instrument, education, professional activitiesAge, sex, instrument, education, professional activities

Duration and frequency of practiceDuration and frequency of practice

NutritionNutrition

Chronic diseasesChronic diseases

Music-medical problems, pain while playingMusic-medical problems, pain while playing

Hobbies, non-musical activities (prevention, sports)Hobbies, non-musical activities (prevention, sports)

Interest in relevant instrumental modificationsInterest in relevant instrumental modifications

Experience with music-medical treatmentExperience with music-medical treatment

Strategies for coping with stress and performance anxietyStrategies for coping with stress and performance anxiety

Method: Survey questionsMethod: Survey questions

Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?

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Results: Problems by medical disciplineResults: Problems by medical disciplineN

um

be

r of

mu

sici

an

s

Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?

Orthopedic problems: musculoskeletal pain, overuse syndromesPsychological problems: depression, performance anxiety, fear of failure

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Orthoped. Neurol. Dermatol. Psychol. Audiol. Dentistry

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Results: Problems by instrumentResults: Problems by instrument

5 violinists5 violinists Shoulder problemsShoulder problemsNeck problemsNeck problems

2 cellists2 cellists Pain in the left shoulderPain in the left shoulderPain in bowing armPain in bowing arm

1 double bass player1 double bass player Pain in the left shoulderPain in the left shoulder

6 pianists6 pianists Back and hand problemsBack and hand problemsOveruse syndroms in arms & handsOveruse syndroms in arms & hands

12 woodwind players12 woodwind players Inflamation of finger jointsInflamation of finger jointsAllergic reactionsAllergic reactions

1 brass player1 brass player Orthopedic problemsOrthopedic problemsDental problemsDental problems

Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?

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Results: Reasons given for problemsResults: Reasons given for problems

New repertoire/

piece16%

New technique/ position

20%

Increase in practice

time25%

Long break 14%

New instrument

9%

Stage fright16%

Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?

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Results: Participants‘ strategiesResults: Participants‘ strategies

Preventional literature Preventional literature

12 participants12 participants

Instrumental modificationsInstrumental modifications

2 participants2 participants

Sport and relaxation Sport and relaxation

all participantsall participants

Music-medical treamentMusic-medical treament

2 participants2 participants

Soccer4%

Aerobics4% Jogging

Walking41%

Golf4%

Tennis4%

Body Building

7%

Swimming9%

Dancing9%

Cycling18%

Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?

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Conclusion: PreventionConclusion: Prevention

Teachers should consider the health of Teachers should consider the health of their students and be trained to do so.their students and be trained to do so.

Prevention is better than cure and can Prevention is better than cure and can begin with the first lesson.begin with the first lesson.

Conservatories should teach music Conservatories should teach music medicine & anatomy/physiology.medicine & anatomy/physiology.

Instruments can and should be adjusted Instruments can and should be adjusted to fit to their players.to fit to their players.

Not all sports are suitable, e.g. Not all sports are suitable, e.g. swimming is better than tennis.swimming is better than tennis.

Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?Gasenzer & Parncutt: How do musicians deal with their medical problems?