ABSTRACT
Background: Musicians' performance-related musculo-among skeletal problems ranges from mild pain during performance to severe pain, which may lead the instrumentalist to quit playing. The aim of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal problems and its prevalence
Methods: This research was performed on Daf and Setaar students in three teaching centers and 90 persons [12 in the control group and 78 in the case group] were included. After taking a thorough medical history, the volunteers underwent a standard upper extremity physical examination with special attention to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Presence of pain, tenderness, joint range of motion, sensory or motor problems were sought and all of the cases underwent a nerve conduction velocity study
Results: Out of 78 students, 42 played the Daf [15 males, 25 females] and 36 played the Setaar [16 males, 20 females]. In the whole group, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was 53%, but no one had carpal tunnel syndrome. The prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among Daf students was greater in comparison with Setaar students [57% versus 47%, respectively] although this difference was not statistically significant
Conclusion: This study reveals that the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among non-professional Daf or Setaar players is equal to professional classical music performers in the West. Why this is so, remains to be studied