Musculoskeletal symptoms and occupational performance: a study among instrumentalist musicians in the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptomatology among musicians from a federal university, verifying its impact on daily activities and work performance. Methods: 26 musicians have been assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Relation between musculoskeletal symptomatology and occupational performance was evaluated by Mann-Whitney test, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and Chi-square test. Results: We observed preponderance of musculoskeletal complaints in the upper limbs and torso regions, with low demand for medical services by musicians. There was significant difference in the performance of daily activities and music practice among participants who had musculoskeletal
complaints in upper limbs. Conclusion: Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders may affect work activities and other areas of occupational performance. Initiatives on prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders are important to the development of strategies aiming at preserving and promoting this population health.