MUSCULOSKELETAL AND NEUROMUSCULAR CONDITIONS OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSICIANS

Performing Arts Medicine is a broad field that includes the study of m edical conditions and injuries incurred by dancers, instrumental music ians, and vocalists. This article summarizes the most relevant literat ure of approximately the past 10 years concerning the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions of musicians, A literature search was don e for relevant articles in English by physicians or scientists. Some o lder, but fundamental, articles are included; incidental case reports were ex eluded to the extent possible. Included were articles on incid ence, prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and biomechan ical studies in musicians, Although nearly all of these conditions are the same ones seen in the general work force, it is clear that their occurrence patterns in the professional musician are unique, as is the ir impact on the Life and livelihood of the patient. The content of th e Arts Medicine literature does not permit a truly critical review. Re search in the last 10 years appears not to have been done in a true bl inded, random case-controlled fashion. Many authors support their stat ements with only their respective clinical experiences, The research c ited here includes 58 series, 9 case studies, 5 surveys, 2 pre/post in tervention studies, and 1 double-blind crossover clinical trial. (C) 1 996 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Americ an Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation