• Courtney Smyth and Gary A Mirka.
• Dep. of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Iowa State University, 3025 Black Engineering, 2025 Union Dr., Ames, IA 50011, USA. Tel 515-294-8661. mirka@iastate.edu.
• Med Probl Perform Art. 2021 Dec 1; 36 (4): 225-232.

ObjectiveClarinetists often report discomfort of the right wrist and thumb and note that it is likely the result of the constant force applied to the area from the instrument's weight and the musician's technique. One preventative measure to reduce this discomfort is the use of a neck strap. The objective of the current study was to document the biomechanical impacts of this intervention.MethodsEight experienced clarinetists played a series of three etude pieces while playing both with and without a neck strap. For each condition, the force between the right thumb and clarinet was measured, electromyographic (EMG) data were collected from seven muscle groups, and subjective assessment of perceived effort was obtained.ResultsThe results showed that when the neck strap was used, there was a significant decrease in the average force between the thumb and clarinet (p<0.05) and a decrease in the average perceived effort required for the right shoulder and thumb of the participants (p<0.05). Importantly, there were no statistically significant increases in the muscle activity of any of the neck and shoulder muscles with the introduction of the neck strap intervention.ConclusionA neck strap intervention had positive effects on the right thumb while not causing any known adverse effects to other areas such as the neck, upper back, and shoulders.

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