Performing Arts Medicine

As the diverse populations of the planet interact on a more frequent and intense basis, it becomes increasingly important for every individual and organization to examine its own approach to this vital issue. The field of performing arts medicine should pay particular attention to diversity for a number of reasons, some of which will help to advance our specialty and improve the lives of performing artists, while others may help save the world.

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Overuse Injuries in Non-Classical Recreational Instrumentalists

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2006.2015 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 80-87 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Taylor Buckley ◽

Ralph Manchester

Keyword(s):

Performing Arts ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Musical Instrument ◽

Point Prevalence ◽

Overuse Injuries ◽

Anatomical Location ◽

Performing Arts Medicine ◽

Single View ◽

Classical Musicians ◽

Playing Time

Purpose: Performing arts medicine has traditionally focused on the medical problems of classical musicians. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data regarding differential incidence or prevalence of injury in nonclassical musicians. The present study analyzed the baseline prevalence, new onset of injury following a substantial increase in playing time at a music camp, and any possible correlation with technical and postural deficits in a population of amateur folk instrumentalists. Methods: Preliminary and follow-up questionnaires were used to gather background and new incidence data, respectively. A subset of subjects was recorded on video, which was independently analyzed for technical deficits at a later time. Results: Lifetime prevalence is 54% for a previous injury attributed to playing a musical instrument and point prevalence is 19%. Following the camp, prevalence increased to 44% (p = 0.001), and incidence of new injury was 31%, including individuals with more than one active injury. A higher rate of injury correlated with a greater increase in absolute playing time, relative playing time above baseline, and absolute time above baseline during the camp, although these did not reach statistical significance. The limited technical analysis qualitatively correlated a technical deficit to an injury at the same anatomical location in 15 of 47 cases using only a single-view video for analysis. Conclusion: Lifetime and point prevalence is similar to that reported in several studies of classical musicians. Further inquiry into technical and postural analysis may help to identify the cause of, and potentially prevent, overuse injuries in folk and classical musicians.

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Effectiveness of an Educational Program in Health Promotion and Injury Prevention for Freshman Music Majors

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2008.2010 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 47-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Rebecca Barton ◽

Judy R Feinberg

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Injury Prevention ◽

Performing Arts ◽

Educational Program ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Music Majors ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Medical Problems ◽

Performing Arts Medicine ◽

Course Content

The purpose of this program evaluation was to examine the effectiveness of an educational course in health promotion and injury prevention designed specifically for college music majors. Course content included the provision of information on medical problems commonly seen in musicians, effective health promotion and preventive strategies, and application of this knowledge to music playing and other daily occupations. Students were taught how to assess risk for potential injury for themselves and their future students. Course content and self-assessment questionnaires aimed at assessing the students' use of health and injury prevention measures were administered before the start of the course, immediately after course completion, and 6 weeks later. The outcomes indicated that students improved in their overall knowledge of the content covered in this educational module and that this increased knowledge was retained 6 weeks later. Interestingly, self-perceived application of health promotion and injury prevention strategies did not improve significantly at the completion of the course but did so 6 weeks later, possibly indicating that behavior change takes longer to incorporate into one's daily routine. Literature suggests that such education programs have benefited performing artists, and these results indicate the efficacy of this type of educational program within an academic curriculum for student musicians. In addition, this program illustrates the role of the occupational therapist as a consultant and educator in the practice of performing arts medicine.

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In the June Issue

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2016.2023 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 122-123

Author(s):

Bronwen J Ackermann

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Base ◽

Injury Prevention ◽

Performing Arts ◽

Management Strategies ◽

High Rate ◽

Clinical Knowledge ◽

Performing Arts Medicine ◽

Rapid Pace

There is no doubt that the field of performing arts medicine continues to grow at a rapid pace. While the consistently high rate of injuries reported by musicians and dancers internationally drives the need for better injury prevention and management strategies, the increasing research and clinical knowledge base provides a platform for further advancements.

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Genees & Kunst 8: Eighth Biannual Symposium on Medical Problems of Dancers & Musicians, Revalidatie Friesland, Beetsterzwaag, April 4, 2009

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2009.4039 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 191-197

Author(s):

G.J.F. (Gert-Jan) de Haas ◽

C.I.C.A. (Camilla) Winterkorn-Pierrot

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Outpatient Clinic ◽

Performing Arts ◽

Medical Centre ◽

Rehabilitation Centre ◽

Medical Problems ◽

Performing Arts Medicine ◽

Orthopaedic Department ◽

10Th Anniversary ◽

The University

On Saturday, April 4th, 2009, the Dutch Performing Arts Medicine Association (NVDMG) organized a scientific and artistic symposium Genees & Kunst 8 for its 8th member assembly, at Revalidatie Friesland (Rehabilitation Friesland) Rehabilitation Centre, in Beetsterzwaag, The Netherlands. The assembly was co-hosted by Mr. G.J.F. (Gert-Jan) de Haas, Vice-chairman of NVDMG and head of the Psychology and Psychiatry Department of the Medical Centre for Dancers & Musicians (MCDM), K.H. (Kees-Hein) Woldendorp, MD, rehabilitation specialist and musician in Revalidatie Friesland, and Prof. S.K. (Sjoerd) Bulstra, MD, PhD, orthopaedic surgeon and head of the Orthopaedic Department of the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG). In addition, Revalidatie Friesland celebrated the 10th anniversary of the musicians' outpatient clinic led by K.H. Woldendorp, MD.

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Letter to the Editor

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2002.4030 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 192-192

Author(s):

Ian Winspur

Keyword(s):

Subject Matter ◽

Performing Arts ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Performing Arts Medicine ◽

Letter To The Editor ◽

The World ◽

The Subject ◽

The Law

I enjoyed Alice Brandfonbrener’s editorial “But I Didn’t Ask to Be a Lawyer” in the June 2002 issue of MPPA [MPPA 2002;17(2):57]. I understand and sympathize with her. Many physicians who, like her, are involved in these cases for altruistic reasons rather than pure commercial—-and I believe that this is more common in the world of performing arts medicine—-must find themselves in the same predicament. However, in the words of an eminent English lawyer, who qualified and practiced as a gynecologist before turning to the law, when considering medical and scientific evidence (or in many cases, including performers, non-scientific evidence!): “However scientific the subject matter of the claim and however recondite the evidence and the argument, the legal definitions must apply in a Court of Law; the problem for the lawyer is in making the scientist understand a totally different concept of proof required by the court.” Therefore physicians involved, whether altruistic or not, must understand the basis of these claims.

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Professional Education in Performing Arts Medicine

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2010.4030 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 139-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ralph A Manchester

Keyword(s):

Professional Education ◽

Performing Arts ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Panel Discussion ◽

The Body ◽

Performing Arts Medicine ◽

Performing Artists ◽

Body Of Knowledge ◽

Broad Variety ◽

Huge Challenge

As the body of knowledge that comprises the field of performing arts medicine has grown, it has simultaneously become more important and more difficult for everyone who is concerned about the health of performing artists to stay current with the state of the art. In this regard, performing arts medicine is no different from any other field, but we have a huge challenge as we try to meet the educational needs of the broad variety of professionals who treat, teach, manage and do research on musicians, dancers, and other performing artists. A panel discussion on this subject was part of the 2010 Aspen Symposium on the Healthcare of Performing Artists. ... I will try to summarize where our efforts to educate performing arts medicine professionals stand today and what our options are for the future.

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