Preventing musculoskeletal complaints in music students: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal complaints in music students are common. Little is known about effectiveness of interventions. AIMS: To assess whether a biopsychosocial prevention course is better at reducing disability due to musculoskeletal disorders compared with physical activity promotion. METHODS: This was a multicentre randomized controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis. Participants were first- and second-year students from five conservatories, randomized to experimental or control groups. The experimental group participated in 11 classes on body posture playing the instrument according to postural exercise therapy, and performance-related psychosocial aspects. The control group participated in five classes promoting physical activity according to national guidelines. The primary outcome was disability using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, including the performing arts module. Secondary outcomes were pain, quality of life, playing-related musculoskeletal disorders and health behaviour. Outcomes were assessed at six points, from baseline until 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy participants were randomized to experimental (n = 84) or control (n = 86) groups. Loss to follow-up was 40% during the trial and 69% at 2-year follow-up. The dropout rate was equal in both groups. Overall, there were no significant differences between groups for any outcome adjusted for baseline characteristics: percentage disability, odds ratio was 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-2.51; general DASH, ß = -0.57, 95% CI -3.23 to 2.09; and performing arts module, ß = -0.40, 95% CI 5.12-4.32. CONCLUSIONS: A biopsychosocial prevention course tailored for musicians was not superior to physical activity promotion in reducing disability. Large numbers lost to follow-up warrant cautious interpretation.

Perfectionism and coping strategies as risk factors for the development of non-specific work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD).

BACKGROUND: The incidence of non-specific work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD) is rising throughout western society. Literature and our own WRULD file (>1200 patients) revealed that both physical and psychosocial work-related factors are major causes of non-specific WRULD. It also appeared that non-specific WRULD was more likely to develop in patients with neurotic-perfectionist personalities. AIM: To see if, alongside physical and psychosocial work-related factors, personality factors play an important role in developing non-specific WRULD. METHOD: This was a case-control study with two control groups, comparing 45 computer workers with non-specific WRULD with 45 computer workers free from upper limb disorder (first control group) and 42 chronic pain patients (second control group). Main questionnaires administered were: the Utrecht Coping List (UCL), measuring coping-styles; the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), measuring neurotic perfectionism; and the Symptom Check List (SCL-90), measuring general psychological complaints (psychoneuroticism). The SCL-90 was added because of its known high correlation with neurotic perfectionism. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis revealed significant differences in SCL-90 scores (chi(2) = 17.2, P < 0.0001), thereby potentially negating the significance of the higher neurotic perfectionism in the non-specific WRULD group. A second control group of chronic pain patients, with prospective high score on the SCL-90, was added. Logistic regression showed that, after controlling for psychoneuroticism, non-specific WRULD patients had more neurotic perfectionist traits (chi(2) = 22.83, P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in mean UCL scores (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Alongside physical and psychosocial work-related factors, psychoneuroticism and neurotic perfectionism appear to be important risk factors for developing non-specific WRULD.