Medical problems of performing artists
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Med Probl Perform Art · Mar 2022
LetterRecognizing Microcirculatory Disorders in Musicians to Preserve a Good State of Health and the Best Artistic Performance.
We read with great interest, in the December 2021 issue of the journal, three papers by Clorinda Panebianco, Ari Cantuária Vilela et al., and Tamara Borger et al. concerning musculoskeletal complaints in musicians. These authors have successfully addressed the topic of the highly prevalent complaints and disorders among musicians that impact their wellbeing and performance abilities. Unfortunately, even if musculoskeletal disorders are among the most frequent and painful, we must also remember other occupational disorders that affect musicians, often overlooked and underestimated, can have the same clinical and performance impact. Among these "forgotten" diseases, it seems important to remember the microcirculation disorders.
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Med Probl Perform Art · Dec 2021
Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Complaints in Female Musicians: A Systematic Review and Exploration for Future Studies.
Female musicians are prone to the development of musculoskeletal complaints (MSC). The etiology of this increased risk is poorly understood. As the number of professional female musicians increases, so does the importance of understanding female-specific risk factors for MSC in musicians. ⋯ At this moment, no evidence-based deductions can be made about female-specific risk factors for MSC in musicians. There is a lack of high-quality studies in this field and a need for studies with a different focus and a prospective study design.
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Med Probl Perform Art · Dec 2021
Novel Ultrasonographic Thickness and Strength Assessments of the Flexor Digitorum: A Reliability Analysis.
Clinical conditions such as focal dystonia often require the assessment of atrophy and weakness of the finger muscles. However, due to a lack of well-established protocols, the current investigation focused on assessing the reliability of thickness and strength assessments of the flexor digitorum (FD) muscle, including both the superficialis and profundus components. As a secondary assessment, the reliability of the strength measurement of the extensor digitorum muscle was examined as well. ⋯ Results indicated an excellent relative and absolute reliability, for both hands, for the mean thickness and strength assessments of the flexor digitorum muscle and for the mean strength of the extensor digitorum (measured for both hands). These measurements can be used for future investigations and can contribute to the establishment of more precise methods for assessing the muscles in the forearms which serve the hand.
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Med Probl Perform Art · Dec 2021
Impact of a Neck Strap Intervention on Perceived Effort, Thumb Force, and Muscle Activity of Clarinetists.
Clarinetists 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. ⋯ A 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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Med Probl Perform Art · Dec 2021
Dancers' Perceptions of Accessibility and Quality of the Relationship with Healthcare Professionals in Quebec.
To understand dancers' perception of accessibility to care and quality of the relationship with healthcare practitioners in Quebec; to identify the key elements of an optimal dancer-physician relationship; and to propose recommendations for improvement. ⋯ This research is the first investigation of the dancer-physician relationship in Quebec. It reveals a desire amongst the dance artist community to improve the dancer-physician relationship and the overall quality of their unique healthcare requirements.