ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to detect the problems related to wind instruments in order to determine the contributing factors. This study is a prospective study of a sample of Lebanese wind-instruments musicians. Questionnaire of 17 items about personal data, musical activities in general and specific problems related to wind instruments. 340 response out of 400 [85%]. Gender: male 100%. Age: 28.5 +/- 6.5 years [13-50]. Practice of any physical activity: 57.5%. Smokers: 40.5%. Data about musical practice-Years of practice: 6.5 +/- 5.5. Daily practice: 2.5 +/- 1.5 hours with 35 +/- 2 rest periods of 16.5 +/- 15 minutes. Weekly practice: 5 +/- 2 days. Data about medical problems-Hear loss 34%; respiratory difficulties: 19.5%; wound of lips muscles: 5%; gums and tongue lesions: 7.8%; myospasms of the cheeks and lips: 34.5%; dental problems: 30.7%temporo-mandibular disorders [TMD]: 22.5%. There is a high association between risk factors and pathology. Risks related to the instrument's use: hear loss [p=0.001], traumas to lips muscles [p=0.065], myospasms [p=0.064], TMD [p=0.000]. Other factors: physical activity is beneficial; smoking is harmful [breathing difficulties, spasms, headaches]. Factors influencing the different problems: age [31 +/- 7 years]; years of practice [9 +/- 6]; hours of practice per day [2 +/- 15]; days of practice per week [4.5 +/- 2.5]. Wind instruments are related to problems of mouth, facial muscles and hearing. This may lead musicians to stop their activities or to irreversible professional disabilities. A medical follow-up during the musicians training is needed to prevent these problems