Multidisciplinary study of illnesses in professional pianists and guitarists and their association with anxiety levels in a Mexican university

Abstract

The physical condition of the motor function of a musical performer is determined by the habits that musicians acquire right at the beginning of their professional training. A large percentage of instrumental musicians' health problems are caused by their occupational activities. This research work aims then to identify musculoskeletal disorders in pianists and guitarists and determine their association to anxiety levels. The study was conducted on 36 pianists and guitarists of both sexes, using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire for wrists and hands to make a medical diagnosis, and the Adult Manifest Anxiety Scale™ (AMAS™) to carry on psychological assessment. The mean age of participants was 24.5 (SD ± 7.6) years. Twenty six musicians had at least one symptom: tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle cramps, and rheumatoid arthritis among others. Anxiety levels were as follows: low (14%), expected (39%), slightly elevated (30%), and clinically significant anxiety (17%). Nonetheless, the presence of any of those musculoskeletal disorders was not associated with anxiety levels. In conclusion, anxiety, sensitivity, or social concerns do not seem to cause the appearance and development of typical diseases of musicians. According to the orthopedic evaluation, the presence of musculoskeletal abnormalities is related to instrumental performance.