Advanced search


Search results        Search results      Copy URL to E-Mail

Exploring the Impact of Musculoskeletal Conducting Injuries in Choral Music Educators: An Osteopathic Survey Analysis
Li, S. [16]
Wehner, B. [4]
Sullivan, R. [1]
McNickle, C. [1]

Journal: Journal of Osteopathic Medicine Date: 2024/12, 124(12):Pages: A39-A41. doi: Subito , type of study: cross sectional study

Full text    (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jom-2024-2000/html)

Keywords:

choir [2]
cross sectional study [866]
musculoskeletal injuries [3]
music [10]
occupational injuries [1]
teachers [7]
USA [1717]

Abstract:

Context: There is limited scientific literature evaluating choral conductors, a prominent group of performing arts professionals. This study surveyed the subgroup of choral music educators and the prevalence of conducting-related musculoskeletal injury. This population faces occupational risk factors associated with repetitive upper extremity conducting motions and long standing hours, leading to potential injury [1-3]. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been studied and may show benefit in instrumentalists and vocalists but is limited in choral conductors [4-6]. An osteopathic approach will guide physicians to further understand physical symptoms, risk factors and attitudes surrounding injury in this occupation. Objective: To identify location, number, mechanism and effect of musculoskeletal conducting injuries in choral music educators. To identify attitudes surrounding work and injury and their association with personal identity. To understand how osteopathic physicians can partner with these professionals for injury prevention and individualized treatment. Methods: This was a clinical, survey-based study. An online Qualtrics qualitative survey was created by the investigators examining occupational demographics, attitudes towards occupational injury, and injury symptoms and experience. A body diagram from the validated Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to visually indicate areas of injury, in addition to selectable and open-ended text response questions for elaboration [7]. Likert scales of agreement levels were used for attitude statements regarding occupation and injury. Participants were choral music educators who were actively teaching or retired. Volunteers were broadly recruited through online music educator forums, social media, and a research call through a national choral association’s email list. Undergraduate students were not permitted to progress through the survey, and current and retired choral directors were permitted to continue. Differences between the stages of teaching career: graduate student, early career (0-9 years), mid career (10-19 years), late career (20+ years), and retired professional were assessed for categorical variables using a chi-squared test. Variables included the category of primary injury (none, repetitive stress, acute) and number of reported injuries (zero, one, two or more). Alpha was set at 0.05. Incomplete surveys were excluded. The osteopathic significance is demonstrated by the holistic approach of the survey, evaluating attitudes regarding occupational injury and how, in addition to physical symptoms, injury affected the teaching experience of the respondent. Results: There were 94 respondents, and 75 complete surveys were included for analysis. Response rate was unable to be calculated because the total number of people in online distribution groups was unavailable. The reported injuries were most commonly located in the shoulder (n=14), neck (n=10), hands/wrists (n=8), lower back (n=6), and upper back (n=5). Repetitive stress injuries (n=16) were more common than acute injuries (n=6). These tended to occur in the mid to late career professionals (10-19 or 20+ years teaching) compared to early career professionals (0-9 years teaching). Trends showed some agreement that a participant’s personal identity is tied to being a teacher. Participants disagreed that they were aware of risk for occupation-related injury when starting their careers and that injury is inevitable in this profession. Some agreed that they were equipped with wellness strategies for occupational injury prevention. There was a statistically significant difference between stages of career (graduate student, early, mid, late, retired) and category of primary injury (none, repetitive stress, acute) (p=0.035). There was a statistically significant difference between stages of career and number of reported injuries (zero, one, two or more) p. Conclusion: Using the Five Models of Osteopathy, biomechanical, neurologic, and behavioral considerations are key to an osteopathic individualized treatment plan in this population of choral music educators. An osteopathic perspective can guide physicians in diagnosing and treating somatic dysfunctions and side effects of nerve entrapment from injury as well as addressing any underlying psychosocial identity concerns that arise with injury. In our study, the reported body regions with musculoskeletal injury and the prevalence of repetitive stress injuries in choral music educators were similar to those found in general conductors in existing literature. Those who were in their late careers had more reported injuries, which shows the importance of injury prevention and best practices at the beginning of a career. The attitude trends regarding occupation and injury could be further explored in future studies and should be holistically considered in addressing injury. Literature has described OMT approaches for musicians like string and piano players with hand/forearm tendonitis or muscle strain, shoulder bursitis, adhesive capsulitis, upper back pain, and neck pain [5]. Future studies could elucidate an approach targeted to choral conductors including the elbows and lower back based on our results. Our results also reported the importance of vocal overuse and injury to participants, which should be noted in the approach to individual care. Other studies have described diagnosis-oriented treatment sessions, trigger point treatment and larynx manipulation for vocalists [4]. These components could be used in future studies examining the effect of clinical OMT in choral conductors. Limitations of this study include a limited sample size from select regions of the United States and lack of participant diversity. The qualitative survey also allowed variability in free-text responses. Future studies may include a larger national sample and use validated pain scales or questionnaires for quantitative analysis. In addition, further studies can guide injury prevention education in training future choral music educators and improve their health outcomes.

Search results      Copy URL to E-Mail

 
 
 






  • Impressum • Legal notice • Datenschutz •


ostlib.de/data_mwthvgfausxbcjrenpkd



Supported by

OSTLIB recommends