Medical Problems of Brass Instrumentalists: Prevalence Rates for Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, and Low Brass

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-98
Author(s):  
Kris Chesky ◽  
Karendra Devroop ◽  
James Ford

This study examined the medical problems of musicians who primarily perform on a brass instrument. Data for this study (n = 739) were extracted from the University of North Texas Musician Health Survey data set. Subjects were included if they indicated either trumpet, trombone, French horn, or low brass as their primary instrument. Prevalence rates for one or more musculoskeletal problems were determined for the whole group and by instrument. For those subjects who reported problems at specific sites, average severity levels were derived from responses to a five-point grading scale. Additional prevalence rates for non-musculoskeletal problems were established for the whole group and by instrument. About 60% of the brass musicians reported having one or more musculoskeletal problems. The trombone group reported the highest rate (70%), followed by French horn and low brass (62%), and then trumpet (53%). Results suggest unique physical performance requirements and risks across the four main brass instrument groups and that future studies should examine each brass instrument group individually.

2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 99-101
Author(s):  
Cari Spence

The purpose of this study was to identify prevalence rates of medical problems among flautists. The Flute Health Survey (FHS), a questionnaire with items regarding musculoskeletal and nonmusculoskeletal problems, was distributed at the 1999 National Flute Association annual meeting (n = 40). This questionnaire was pilot tested at the 1999 Texas Flute Festival, which is hosted by the Texas Flute Society. The University of North Texas has posted on the Internet a similar questionnaire regarding the medical problems of all musicians. Responses from the University of North Texas Musician Health Survey (UNT-MHS) were filtered to include only those respondents who denoted flute as their primary instruments (n = 328). Data sets from both surveys were then processed using comparative statistics. Findings show that there was no significant difference between the demographics of the two populations. Only one musculoskeletal site, the left hand, was found to be statistically significant between the two groups. Four nonmusculoskeletal items, depression, earache, headache, and sleep disturbances, were found to be different between the two groups. The overall findings of this comparison show that there are many medical problems facing the flute playing community. Further investigation and observations of this population are necessary.


2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 157-160
Author(s):  
Michael Thrasher ◽  
Kris S Chesky

One aspect of double reed performance warranting consideration involves the biomechanical stress placed on the human body through the performance of these instruments. At present, inadequate information exists that can effectively answer questions regarding the types of physical problems experienced by oboe and bassoon players and the percentages of players who suffer from such problems. The purpose of this study is to describe medical problems of double reed players utilizing data collected through the University of North Texas Musician Health Survey (UNT-MHS). Sixty survey respondents identified oboe as their primary instrument. The majority of musculoskeletal problems reported by oboists related to the right wrist, right hand, right fingers, right forearm, right neck, and right lower back. In all areas, females reported higher percentages of problems than did males. Among nonmusculoskeletal problems, oboists reported a high incidence of headaches, blackouts/dizziness, and stage fright. Seventy-five subjects identified bassoon as their primary instrument. The majority of musculoskeletal problems reported by bassoonists related to the left wrist, left hand, right wrist, and left fingers. Among nonmusculoskeletal problems, bassoonists reported a high incidence of headaches, eyestrain, and fatigue. Since the lack of a truly randomized sample prevents generalization of these results to the total double-reed-playing population, these results should be interpreted with caution. However, the high rates of right upper extremity dysfunction among oboists and left upper extremity dysfunction among bassoonists illustrated in this study warrant additional research.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-180
Author(s):  
C Sandell ◽  
M Frykman ◽  
K Chesky ◽  
A Fjellman-Wiklund

This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of self-reported playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) and stress-related health problems among percussionists. Data for the present study were extracted from the University of North Texas Musician Health Survey (UNT-MHS) data set. Subjects (n = 279) were included if they identified auxiliary percussion (i.e., tambourine, triangle, bells, rattle, wood block), drum set, marimba, steel drum, timpani, vibraphone, xylophone, or other percussion as their primary instrument. Prevalence rates for PRMDs and stress-related health problems were determined for the total percussion group and for separate instrument categories. Of the total group, 77% reported one or more PRMDs. The keyboard percussionists (marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, and steel drum) reported the significantly highest prevalence (89%), followed by auxiliary and other percussionists (79%) and membranophone percussionists, including drum set and timpani (74%). The highest region-specific prevalence of PRMDs for the whole group was found in the bilateral hand and low back regions. Stress due to work environment was considered moderate to high by 75% of the respondents. Regarding stress-related health problems, percussionists reported primarily problems with fatigue, depression, and stage fright. The overall findings of this study show that PRMDs and stress-related health problems are a major concern for percussionists and warrant further research.


2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-38
Author(s):  
Kris Chesky ◽  
Miriam A Henoch

The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of hearing problems reported from a heterogeneous group of musicians as a function of both primary performance area and primary instrument. Information for the investigation was obtained from the University of North Texas Musician Health Survey that allows musicians to report medical problems via the World Wide Web. Data were generated from a question regarding the presence or absence of hearing loss. The respondents were grouped according to primary performance area, according to primary instrument, and by primary instrument relative to whether they were classical or non-classical musicians. Results showed that 21.7% of the 3,292 musicians responding perceived having a problem with hearing. Findings showed the highest rate of occurrence was in rock/alternative musicians; in musicians who were included in the nonclassical grouping; and in musicians who played amplified instruments, drum-set, and primary brass instruments. Implications for further research and risk management are discussed.


2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong H Pak ◽  
Kris Chesky

Musculoskeletal problems are considered significant health factors for performing artists, especially instrumentalists. Although numerous studies exist that document the extent to which musicians experience these problems, serious consideration has not been given to musicians who play the keyboard, or the type of music played by each instrumentalist. Furthermore, although the Internet is an emerging tool for research, epidemiologists have been surprisingly slow in adapting to this novel way to conduct surveys. Using data derived from the University of North Texas Musician Health Survey (UNT-MHS) conducted over the Internet, this study assessed the prevalence of upper-extremity musculoskeletal problems among 455 keyboard instrumentalists and the association with musician type, daily playing time, gender, and age. Age and gender were found to be significant risk factors, while musician type and daily playing time did not show statistical significance.


Author(s):  
I. G. Zakharova ◽  
Yu. V. Boganyuk ◽  
M. S. Vorobyova ◽  
E. A. Pavlova

The article goal is to demonstrate the possibilities of the approach to diagnosing the level of IT graduates’ professional competence, based on the analysis of the student’s digital footprint and the content of the corresponding educational program. We describe methods for extracting student professional level indicators from digital footprint text data — courses’ descriptions and graduation qualification works. We show methods of comparing these indicators with the formalized requirements of employers, reflected in the texts of vacancies in the field of information technology. The proposed approach was applied at the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Tyumen. We performed diagnostics using a data set that included texts of courses’ descriptions for IT areas of undergraduate studies, 542 graduation qualification works in these areas, 879 descriptions of job requirements and information on graduate employment. The presented approach allows us to evaluate the relevance of the educational program as a whole and the level of professional competence of each student based on objective data. The results were used to update the content of some major courses and to include new elective courses in the curriculum.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii464-iii464
Author(s):  
Dharmendra Ganesan ◽  
Nor Faizal Ahmad Bahuri ◽  
Revathi Rajagopal ◽  
Jasmine Loh PY ◽  
Kein Seong Mun ◽  
...  

Abstract The University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur had acquired a intraoperative MRI (iMRI) brain suite via a public private initiative in September 2015. The MRI brain suite has a SIEMENS 1.5T system with NORAS coil system and NORAS head clamps in a two room solution. We would like to retrospectively review the cranial paediatric neuro-oncology cases that had surgery in this facility from September 2015 till December 2019. We would like to discuss our experience with regard to the clear benefits and the challenges in using such technology to aid in the surgery. The challenges include the physical setting up the paediatric case preoperatively, the preparation and performing the intraoperative scan, the interpretation of intraoperative images and making a decision and the utilisation of the new MRI data set to assist in the navigation to locate the residue safely. Also discuss the utility of the intraoperative images in the decision of subsequent adjuvant management. The use of iMRI also has other technical challenges such as ensuring the perimeter around the patient is free of ferromagnetic material, the process of transfer of the patient to the scanner and as a consequence increased duration of the surgery. CONCLUSION: Many elements in the use of iMRI has a learning curve and it improves with exposure and experience. In some areas only a high level of vigilance and SOP (Standard operating procedure) is required to minimize mishaps. Currently, the iMRI gives the best means of determining extent of resection before concluding the surgery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S79-S80
Author(s):  
Joanne Huang ◽  
Zahra Kassamali Escobar ◽  
Rupali Jain ◽  
Jeannie D Chan ◽  
John B Lynch ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In an effort to support stewardship endeavors, the MITIGATE (a Multifaceted Intervention to Improve Prescribing for Acute Respiratory Infection for Adult and Children in Emergency Department and Urgent Care Settings) Toolkit was published in 2018, aiming to reduce unnecessary antibiotics for viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs). At the University of Washington, we have incorporated strategies from this toolkit at our urgent care clinics. This study aims to address solutions to some of the challenges we experienced. Challenges and Solutions Methods This was a retrospective observational study conducted at Valley Medical Center (Sept 2019-Mar 2020) and the University of Washington (Jan 2019-Feb 2020) urgent care clinics. Patients were identified through ICD-10 diagnosis codes included in the MITIGATE toolkit. The primary outcome was identifying challenges and solutions developed during this process. Results We encountered five challenges during our roll-out of MITIGATE. First, using both ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes can lead to inaccurate data collection. Second, technical support for coding a complex data set is essential and should be accounted for prior to beginning stewardship interventions of this scale. Third, unintentional incorrect diagnosis selection was common and may require reeducation of prescribers on proper selection. Fourth, focusing on singular issues rather than multiple outcomes is more feasible and can offer several opportunities for stewardship interventions. Lastly, changing prescribing behavior can cause unintended tension during implementation. Modifying benchmarks measured, allowing for bi-directional feedback, and identifying provider champions can help maintain open communication. Conclusion Resources such as the MITIGATE toolkit are helpful to implement standardized data driven stewardship interventions. We have experienced some challenges including a complex data build, errors with diagnostic coding, providing constructive feedback while maintaining positive stewardship relationships, and choosing feasible outcomes to measure. We present solutions to these challenges with the aim to provide guidance to those who are considering using this toolkit for outpatient stewardship interventions. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Cartwright ◽  
Jeremy J. Harrison ◽  
David P. Moore

<p>Carbonyl sulfide (OCS) is the most abundant sulfur containing gas in the atmosphere and is an important source of stratospheric aerosol. Furthermore, it has been shown that OCS can be used as a proxy for photosynthesis, which is a powerful tool in quantifying global gross primary production. While considerable improvements have been made in our understanding of the location and magnitude of OCS fluxes over the past few decades, recent studies highlight the need for a new satellite dataset to help reduce the uncertainties in current estimations. The Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) instruments on-board the MetOp satellites offer over 14 years of nadir viewing radiance measurements with excellent spatial coverage. Given that there are currently three IASI instruments in operation, there is the potential for a significantly larger OCS dataset than is currently available elsewhere. Retrievals of OCS from these IASI radiances have been made using an adapted version of the University of Leicester IASI Retrieval Scheme (ULIRS). OCS total column amounts are calculated from profiles retrieved on a 31-layer equidistant pressure grid, using an optimal estimation approach for microwindows in the range 2000 – 2100 cm<sup>-1</sup> wavenumbers. Sensitivity of the measurements peak in the mid-troposphere, between 5 – 10 km.</p><p>The outlook of this work is to produce a long-term OCS satellite observational data set that provides fresh insight to the spatial distribution and trend of atmospheric OCS. Here, we present subsets of data in the form of case studies for different geographic regions and time periods.</p>


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