Prevalence of Playing Related Musculoskeletal Disorder in Keyboard and Guitar Players

Background: Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) are common among musicians due to prolonged practice hours, repetitive movements, and sustained awkward postures. Despite growing global literature, limited Indian data exist focusing on keyboard and guitar players.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of PRMDs among keyboard and guitar players and to assess pain intensity, instrument-related functional difficulties, and upper limb disability.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 132 keyboard and guitar players aged ≥16 years from Nagpur city. Participants practicing for more than five hours per week were assessed using the Performing Arts Module of the DASH questionnaire, Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE), and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.
Results: The overall prevalence of PRMDs was found to be high, with the neck, shoulder, wrist, and hand being the most commonly affected regions. Moderate levels of pain and functional disability were observed, particularly in participants practicing for more than 14 hours per week.
Conclusion: PRMDs are highly prevalent among keyboard and guitar players. Early screening, ergonomic education, and physiotherapy-based preventive strategies are essential to reduce disability and improve performance longevity.

Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders, musicians, keyboard players

1. Zaza C, Charles C, Muszynski A. The meaning of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders to classical musicians. Soc Sci Med. 1998;47(12):2013–23. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Kok LM, Vlieland TPMV, Fiocco M, Nelissen RGHH. A comparative study on the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among musicians and non-musicians. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2016;17:9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Ackermann B, Adams R. Physical characteristics and pain patterns of skilled violinists. Med Probl Perform Art. 2004;19(2):65–71. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Stanhope J, Pisaniello D, Tooher R, Weinstein P. How do we assess musicians’ musculoskeletal symptoms? A review of outcome measures used in music health research. Med Probl Perform Art. 2011;26(3):129–35. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Chan C, Ackermann B. Evidence-informed physical therapy management of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians. Phys Ther Rev. 2014;19(2):80–88. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Portnoy S, Cohen S, Ratzon NZ. Correlation between body postures and musculoskeletal pain in guitar players. Med Probl Perform Art. 2014;29(4):218–23. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Hoppmann RA, Patrone NA. Musculoskeletal problems of instrumental musicians. Hand Clin. 1989;5(1):1–8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Gómez-Rodríguez R, Díaz-Pulido B, Gutiérrez-Ortega C, Sánchez-Sánchez B, Torres-Lacomba M. Prevalence, disability and associated factors of playing-related musculoskeletal pain among musicians: a population-based cross-sectional descriptive study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(11):3991. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Cruder C, Barbero M, Koufaki P, Soldini E, Gleeson N. Prevalence and associated factors of playingrelated musculoskeletal disorders among music students in Europe: baseline findings from the RISMUS study. PLoS One. 2020;15(12):e0242660. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Rotter G, Noeres K, Fernholz I, Willich SN, Schmidt A, Berghöfer A. Musculoskeletal disorders and complaints in professional musicians: a systematic review of prevalence, risk factors, and clinical treatment effects. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2020;93(2):149–87. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Hudak PL, Amadio PC, Bombardier C. Development of an upper extremity outcome measure: the DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand). Am J Ind Med. 1996;29(6):602–8 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. MacDermid JC, Turgeon T, Richards RS, Beadle M, Roth JH. Patient-rated wrist evaluation: [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. development and evaluation of a wrist pain and disability questionnaire. J Hand Ther. 1998;11(4):258– 69. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Hawker GA, Mian S, Kendzerska T, French M. Measures of adult pain: Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). Arthritis Care Res. 2011;63(S11):S240–52. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Tubiana R. Musician’s focal dystonia. Hand Clin. 2003;19(2):303–8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. World Confederation for Physical Therapy. Description of physical therapy. London: WCPT; 2011. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Zaza C. Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians: a systematic review of incidence and prevalence. CMAJ. 1998;158(8):1019–25. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Kolt GS, Snyder-Mackler L. Physical Therapies in Sport and Exercise. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier; 2007. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Prevalence and Impact of Dietary Habits on Headache Incidence among College Students: A Survey-Based Study
• Rehabilitation of Patients With Low Back Pain in Hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
• “A Comparative Study to Find the Effects of Mulligan Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide Versus Sub-Occipital Myofascial Release Techinique for the Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache.”
• Bridging the Gap Between Evidence and Practice: A Survey-Based Review of Physical Therapy Management for Diastasis Recti with Emphasis on Transverse Abdominis (TRA) Exercise in the Postpartum Period
• Knowledge and Using of Dry Needling by Physiotherapists in Central Africa in the Management of Trigger Points : The First Cross Sectional Survey in Cameroon