The meaning of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders to classical musicians

In creating and performing music, musicians can experience health problems from the high physical and psychological demands of their profession. Musculoskeletal disorders related to playing are painful, chronic and disabling conditions which are prevalent among classical musicians. The widespread study of the prevalence, etiology, and management of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) is a recent development known as performing arts medicine. Despite the rapid development of this new field, it is unclear how musicians identify themselves as injured, and how they make decisions about what, if anything, to do about these disabling injuries. The aims of our study were twofold. First, we aimed to provide musicians with the opportunity to define a PRMD in their own words. Second, we sought to understand the subjective meaning of the PRMD experience to musicians. Two key informants identified 30 study participants in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. As a form of data triangulation, participants included 27 musicians and three health professionals. Data were collected in semi-structured interviews which lasted, on average, 40 min. Data were transcribed, and were manually coded and analyzed. Participants defined a PRMD as pain and other symptoms which are chronic, are beyond their control, and which interfere with their ability to play their instrument at their usual level. Participants distinguished between “normal”, mild everyday aches and pains, and a PRMD. Although a PRMD is not a medically serious or life-threatening illness, it is devastating to musicians physically, emotionally, socially, and financially. The overall theme of suffering captures the meaning of these problems which threaten the identity of the musician. The findings of this study are consistent with other studies of the experience of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, and other illnesses.