Análise da função respiratória em músicos instrumentistas de sopro / Analysis of the breathing function in wind instrumental musicians

Objetivo: realizar uma revisão integrativa a respeito da função pulmonar e da força muscular respiratória nos músicos de instrumentos de sopro. A relação da função respiratória com a utilização de instrumentos musicais de sopro é uma área do conhecimento ainda pouco explorada. Métodos: Realizada a revisão bibliográfica nas bases de dados MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, PeDro, BVS, Scopus, Web of Science e SciELO, através da combinação das palavras-chave "respiratory function test", "wind instrument", musician, "pulmonary ventilation" e "Lung Function Test". Resultados: Inicialmente foram encontrados 108 artigos, sendo que destes foram selecionados 11, totalizando 596 músicos instrumentistas de sopro, que fizeram parte dos grupos de estudo. Na maioria dos estudos os músicos apresentaram valores menores do volume expirado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) e da capacidade vital forçada (CVF) na espirometria que o grupo controle. No entanto, sem diferença quanto a relação VEF1/CVF. Assim como não há diferença na força muscular respiratória ou relação com doenças respiratórias. Conclusão: Os estudos atuais a respeito da consequência do instrumento de sopro em indivíduos não são capazes de evidenciar impactos positivos ou negativos na saúde respiratória desta população.

Objective: To conduct an integrative review of lung function and respiratory muscle strength in wind instrument musicians. The relationship between respiratory function and the use of wind musical instruments is an area of knowledge that has not been extensively explored. Methods: A bibliographic review was carried out in the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, PeDro, BVS, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO databases by combining the keywords "respiratory function test", "wind instrument", musician, "pulmonary ventilation" and "Lung Function Test". Results: Initially, 108 articles were found, of which 11 were selected, totaling 596 wind instrumentalists who were part of the study groups. In most studies, musicians showed lower values of expired volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in spirometry than in the control group. However, there was no difference regarding the FEV1/FVC ratio, just as there was no difference in respiratory muscle strength or relationship with respiratory diseases. Conclusion: Current studies regarding the effect of wind instruments on individuals are unable to show positive or negative impacts on the respiratory health of this population.

Funciones ejecutivas entre músicos y no músicos: un metaanálisis / Executive functions between musicians and non-musicians: a metanalysis

Resumen Se ha sugerido que la práctica profesional de un instrumento musical esta relacionada con mejores puntajes en tareas de funciones ejecutivas. Con el fin de examinar sistemáticamente esta hipótesis se realizó un metaanálisis para identificar el efecto de la interpretación de un instrumento en las funciones ejecutivas, así como las variables que podrían moderar dicho efecto. El metaanálisis incluyó estudios empíricos que: (1) compararon los puntajes en medidas de funciones ejecutivas entre músicos y no músicos; (2) reportaron las medias y desviaciones estándar; (3) el grupo de comparación no recibió entrenamiento musical; y (4) los participantes no presentaron discapacidad motora o cognitiva. Se identificó que los músicos, en comparación con los no músicos, muestran mejores puntajes en tareas de funciones ejecutivas (d = .712). Los resultados apoyan la hipótesis de que la práctica de un instrumento musical está relacionada con mejores puntuaciones en tareas de funciones ejecutivas.

Abstract Nowadays, it is widely accepted that experience can modify multiple aspects of the functioning and structure of the brain; however, there is still a long way to go to understand the mechanisms behind these modifications. In order to understand the relationship between experience and brain plasticity, models and paradigms have been adapted from cognitive neurosciences; one of them has been music training. In the last decades, this paradigm has strengthened because it allows us to understand the structural and functional modifications produced by training. It has been demonstrated that musicians compared to non-musicians present larger sizes of specific brain regions, in particular, the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with a better performance in executive functions tasks. In addition, long-term neurophysiological changes have been identified in people who play an instrument. A relationship between playing an instrument and better performance in executive functions has been identified. However, the evidence of this effect is contradictory. Executive functions are a series of general control processes that help regulate thinking and behavior. Some research indicates that learning an instrument is associated with better performance in working memory, but not regarding tasks related to inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. However, other studies have revealed significant differences between musicians and non-musicians, both in working memory and tasks of cognitive flexibility as well as in inhibitory control. It is possible that the contradictory results are due to the methodological diversity through which this topic has been addressed, since some studies have carried out experimental and quasi-experimental designs, and others have developed correlational approaches. In addition, different theoretical models have been used to evaluate executive functions. For this study, we work with the theoretical model of Miyake et al. (2000), which is a solid theoretical-empirical proposal about three clearly differentiable executive functions: inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. A meta-analysis was performed with the purpose of identifying the effect of playing an instrument on executive functions as well as identifying the moderator variables. By doing this, we wanted to clarify the problem in question and the controversial results; therefore, empirical studies comparing musicians against non-musicians were included. The comparison group should not have been exposed to musical training, the participants should not present motor or cognitive disabilities, and finally, studies should report means and standard deviations for the scores on executive functions tasks. We included papers published between January 2000 and July 2017. The moderator variables studied were: age in months at the time of evaluation, age at which training began, and total years of training. The coding strategy allowed us to identify a total of 42 294 articles. The titles and abstracts were analyzed and those that did not meet the inclusion criteria were eliminated. This procedure allowed the detection of 24 articles for future analysis, and 12 out of them were finally selected. These 12 articles contributed to 60 effect sizes and 513 participants. The results showed that musicians have a better performance in executive functions tasks when they are compared to non-musicians, d = .712, n = 60, IC95% = (.57; .85), p < .0001. Additionally, the analysis of moderating variables revealed that the practice of an instrument equally benefits all executive functions, and the most important benefit occurs in older adults and children. Results support the hypothesis that the high level of difficulty involved with learning to play an instrument can influence a better performance in executive functions tasks. Our study points out the need of designing research that allows the scientific community to investigate the effect of prolonged musical training over time.

A gente só vê glamour: um estudo de psicologia do trabalho com músicos profissionais / We only see glamour: a work psychology study with professional musicians / Solo vemos glamour: un estudio de psicología del trabajo con músicos profesionales

O artigo trata de investigação realizada acerca das vivências e das repercussões da atividade de trabalho na saúde e no cotidiano de músicos profissionais, a partir do referencial teórico e metodológico da ergologia e da psicossociologia do trabalho. A pesquisa, de natureza qualitativa, apontou que a atividade de trabalho na música é permeada por constrangimentos relacionados às exigências da atividade, às cobranças por altos padrões de desempenho e ao mercado de trabalho, altamente competitivo e predominantemente informal. A presença de dor relacionada às demandas físicas e cognitivas do fazer musical foi apontada pelos entrevistados como a principal repercussão da atividade no cotidiano e principal motivo pelo qual buscaram atendimento. O cansaço físico e mental, sintomas de ordem psíquica e sacrifícios de ordem social e familiar foram outras repercussões descritas pelos músicos. Esses achados corroboram os dados já apresentados pela literatura e desconstruíram a visão de uma atividade de trabalho glamourosa.

The article deals with research about the experiences and repercussions of work activity on the health and daily life of professional musicians, based on the theoretical and methodological reference of ergology and work psychosociology. The research, of a qualitative nature, pointed out that the work activity in music is permeated by constraints related to the demands of the activity, to the high standards of performance and to the labor market, which is highly competitive and predominantly informal. The presence of pain related to the physical and cognitive demands of the musical making was pointed out by the interviewees as the main repercussion of the activity in the daily life and main reason for which they sought care. The physical and mental fatigue, psychic symptoms and sacrifices of social and family order were other repercussions described by the musicians. These findings corroborate data already presented in the literature and have disrupted the vision of a glamorous work activity.

El artículo se ocupa de la investigación acerca de las experiencias y el impacto de la actividad de trabajo en la salud y la vida cotidiana de los profesionales de la música, desde el marco teórico y metodológico de la ergología y psicosociología trabajo. La investigación cualitativa, señaló que la actividad de trabajo en la música está impregnada por dificultades relacionadas con los requerimientos de la actividad, los gastos de un alto nivel de rendimiento y el mercado de trabajo, altamente competitivo y predominantemente informal. La presencia de dolor relacionado con las exigencias físicas y cognitivas del hacer musical fue identificado por los encuestados como el principal impacto de la actividad en la vida diaria y el principal motivo de consulta. La fatiga física y mental, síntomas de orden psíquico y sacrificios sociales y familiar fueron otros efectos descritos por los músicos. Estos resultados corroboran la información ya proporcionada en la literatura y deconstruido la visión de una actividad de trabajo glamoroso.

Combinación de tres técnicas en el reentrenamiento de un músico con distonía focal: estudio de un caso / The use of three combined techniques in the retraining of a mucisian with focal dystonia: a case study

La distonía resulta de una co-contracción sostenida de músculos agonistas y antagonistas que puede causar torsión, movimientos involuntarios o posturas anormales que interfieren con el control voluntario de la mano, u otro grupo muscular, involucrados en una determinada acción; por ejemplo, tocar un instrumento, o escribir.El presente estudio descriptivo, de caso único, buscó probar la efectividad de un tratamiento que combinó tres técnicas (técnica del umbral, imaginería, y relajación por neurofeedback) en el reentrenamiento de un concertista profesional con distonía focal. Según evaluación por jueces, los resultados después de dos semanas de tratamiento, no fueron concluyentes. Sin embargo, el reporte experiencial del propio músico dio cuenta de una clara mejoría. Ante la carencia de un método efectivo para larehabilitación demúsicos con distonía focal, la relevancia del presente estudio consistió en identificar y combinar técnicas específicas que pueden contribuir a ese propósito. En estudios futuros, sería de interés probar el efecto del mismo tratamiento,pero más prolongado; o el efecto de la incorporación de las técnicas en sucesión progresiva, iniciando siempre con la relajación por neurofeedback.

Focal dystonia results from a sustained simultaneous co-contraction of agonists and antagonists muscle fibers which can cause twisting, involuntary movements or abnormal postures that interfere with voluntary control of the hand, arm, mouth, or other muscle groups involved in a given action; for example, playing an instrument, or hand writing. This descriptive, single case study, sought to explore the effectiveness of a treatment that combined three procedures: the threshold technique, imagery, and neurofeedback induced relaxation, in retraining of a professional cello player with focal dystonia. After two weeks of treatment, experts judged the results inconclusive; however, the report from the actual patient accounted for a note worthy recovery over time. In the absence of an effective method to rehabilitate musicians with focal dystonia, the relevance of this study resided on thepossibility of identifying and combining specific techniques that could be effective. Future studies might want to explore these same or different techniques, but perhaps for a longer period of time.

"Sempre tivemos mulheres nos cantos e nas cordas": uma pesquisa sobre o lugar feminino nas corporações musicais / "We always have had women in songs and strings": an investigation about women's position in musical corporations

O presente artigo insere-se em projeto de pesquisa-intervenção sobre a música e suas articulações identitárias nas corporações musicais da região dos Campos das Vertentes, em especial São João del-Rei e cidades vizinhas. Nessa região, a música tem papel significativo na formação da identidade cultural dos cidadãos e na história dos municípios. O recorte atual apresenta uma investigação sobre determinações de gênero, visando conhecer como se dá a participação de musicistas nas bandas e orquestras da região. Para tanto, utilizou-se a análise arqueológica do discurso, a fim de contrapor falas de musicistas às falas de músicos das corporações e, também, às falas masculinas presentes na filosofia e ao discurso utópico sobre a mulher. Observou-se que as diferenças de gênero tradicionais conservam-se encobertas no cotidiano das corporações musicais. Entretanto, observou-se também que as musicistas começam a ser reconhecidas nas corporações e, sobretudo, reconhecem-se como capazes de, nelas, alçarem voos.(AU)

This paper is part of a research-intervention project concerning the music and its articulations with identities, carried out in musical corporations from the region of Campos das Vertentes, specially São João del-Rei and near-by towns. In this region, the music has a significant role on the formation of citizens' cultural identity and on the municipality history. This research cut presents an investigation about gender determinations, aiming to know how is the women musicians' participation in bands and orchestras from the region. For that, it was employed the archeological discourse analysis to compare the women musicians' speeches with men's from the same corporations and also with masculine voices about woman in philosophy and utopias. It was observed that traditional gender differences are preserved covered in the daily life of the musical corporations. However, it was also observed that the women musicians begin to be recognized in the corporations and, above all, recognize themselves as able to take off.(AU)

Diurnal variation in performance by orchestral violinists – pilot study.

Human physiological parameters and performance depend on circadian rhythm. However, no information exists about diurnal variation of musicians’ performance characteristics. In a pilot study 6 professional violinists (aged 38–57 years) presented a standard piece of music (Johann Sebastian Bach, Partita Nr. 2 a-moll, BWV 1004, 4. Satz „Gigure”) and were assessed for body temperature, vital signs and musical performance criteria at 8.00 H, 12.00 H, 16.00 H and 20.00 H. There was no uniform variation but artistic presentation appear to have an optimum between 12.00 and 16.00 H, sound instability being most pronounced in the morning hours.

A profissão de músico conforme apresentada em jornais paraibanos / The profession of musician in the paraíba state newspapers

O artigo relata estudo sobre a profissão dos músicos na Paraíba, realizado por meio da aplicação da análise de conteúdo de dois jornais diários do Estado. A referida análise foi desenvolvida com uma amostra de números referentes aos anos de 2001 e 2003. Identificaram-se quatro categorias (papel social da música; incentivo à música; profissão e organização político-associativas). Tal estudo empírico resultou na identificação de aspectos centrais e importantes na construção da identidade profissional, como: o profissionalismo versus amadorismo; o mito da fama versus o anonimato; desvalorização da chamada prata da casa versus valorização do estrangeiro, etc. Embora não esgotem o tema, situam o lugar que a profissão ocupa na sociedade e pode se constituir em fonte para a elaboração de novas questões e hipóteses para os pesquisadores que se interessarem pela temática.

The article reports study on the profession of musicians in the State of Paraíba, conducted by applying the analysis of contents of two daily newspapers of the State. The analysis itself was developed with a sample of issues of the years 2001 and 2003. Four categories were identified (social role of the music; encouraging the music; profession and associative political organization). Such empirical study resulted in the identification of key and important aspects, in the construction of a professional identity, as, professionalism versus amateurism; the myth of fame versus the anonymity; the depreciation of the so-called home talent versus the value of the foreign ones, and so on. Even though this type of media does not exhaust the subject, it establishes the position that the profession occupies in the society and may constitute itself a source for the development of new questions and hypotheses for the researchers interested in the topic.

Dois violinistas e uma orquestra: diversidade operatória e desgaste músculo-esquelético / Two violinists and one orchestra: different ways of working and musculoskeletal disorders

Frente às demandas de compreensão e prevenção dos processos de adoecimento músculo-esquelético em músicos, este artigo objetiva mostrar as diferenças entre os modos operatórios de dois violinistas de uma orquestra sinfônica a partir de suas relações com os seguintes condicionantes da atividade: as exigências do maestro, a obra musical e a partitura. Os dados foram coletados a partir da observação da atividade nas situações de ensaio da orquestra, durante a produção de uma ópera musical, acompanhada de entrevistas. Os resultados mostram que as relações que se estabelecem entre os músicos e esses condicionantes traduzem estratégias operatórias distintas e formas singulares de uso do corpo e conseqüente desgaste músculo-esquelético.

According to the understanding demands and prevention of the processes of musculoskeletal disorders in musicians, the aim of this article is to show the differences between the operating ways of two violinists of a symphonic orchestra from its relations with the conditions of the activity: the requirements of the conductor, the musical workmanship and the partition. Information had been collected from the observation of the activity in the situations of rehearsal of the orchestra, during the production of an opera, followed by interviews. The results show that the relations between the musicians and these conditions show distinct strategies and personal forms of use of the body and consequent musculoskeletal disorders.

Electrodiagnostic Study on Neuropathies in String Players

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency, involved nerves and sites of entrapment neuropathy in string players. METHOD: The subjects were 24 string playing musicians and age matched 24 normal controls. Questionnaire, physical examination were taken in the musicians and the electrodiagnostic study was performed in both the musician and the control groups. Electrodiagnostic study included nerve conduction study of median and ulnar nerves. The distal motor latency, segmental motor conduction velocity, distal sensory latency, and amplitude of sensory nerve action potentials were measured. Each parameter of nerve conduction study was compared in two groups and was correlated to the string playing duration. RESULTS: Three musicians (12.5%) were diagnosed as entrapment neuropathy: One, left ulnar neuropathy at the elbow and the wrist and left median neuropathy at the wrist; Two, left ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Ulnar motor conduction velocity of right forearm segment and left elbow segment were significantly reduced in the musicians compared to those of the controls (P<0.05). The distal sensory latency of left ulnar nerve was significantly prolonged in musicians compared to that of the controls (P<0.05). The string playing duration significantly correlated with the distal motor latency of right median nerve (R=0.632, P<0.05) and the distal sensory latency of left median nerve (R=0.518, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that some entrapment neuropathies could be developed due to cumulative trauma in string players. Elbow and wrist segment of left ulnar nerve, forearm segment of right ulnar nerve are possible sites of entrapment neuropathy in string players.

Clinical Manifestations of Overuse Injury in Musicians

OBJECTIVE: To know the clinical features of overuse injury in performing musicians and to evaluate related factors that may affect the overuse injury and playing related pain. METHODS: Eighty professional musicians and music college students were examined during 1 year. All were examined by a history taking, physical examination, radiologic exam and if needed electromyography. Nonparametric Sperman's correlation were used for the statistic analysis and 5 interval grading system, visual analog scale for pain, and stress, criteria of joint hypermobility were used for various measurements. RESULTS: Fifty four men were studied in 3 music colleges and a professional orchestra. Frequency of symptom was 46.3%. The string players were most frequently affected (65%), whereas the wind instrument players were least frequently affected (11.5%). The most commonly affected site was the hand and wrist (54.2%) followed by the spine. Patients were divided by the severity into 5 groups and among them the grade 1 was most common (29.6%). No significant correlation was seen between the practice hours per week but a significant correlation was noted between the stress and playing related pain. Joint hypermobility plays an important role in music playing which is dependent on the kind of instruments. CONCLUSION: Incidence of the overuse injury in musicians is high in Korea and the prevention and early treatment are essential for the good outcome of overuse syndrome.