A Cross-Sectional Study of Pain Among U.S. College Music Students and Faculty.

OBJECTIVES: Studies over recent decades have demonstrated significant performance-related pain among professional musicians. However, there have been no largescale studies to evaluate pain among college musicians. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and anatomical locations of performance-related pain among students and faculty at the college level and learn what musicians do when they have pain. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected using an online survey distributed to colleges across the United States. Data were analyzed using REDCap electronic data capture tools and Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: We received 1,007 survey responses and found that 67% of musicians at colleges experienced performance-related pain. The highest prevalence of pain was in woodwind musicians, with 83% reporting performance-related pain. The most common locations of pain were upper back (27%), lower back (26%), and fingers of the right hand (25%). Many student musicians with pain seek help from their teacher, but almost as many do not seek help at all. Less than 25% see a medical professional. CONCLUSIONS: Most musicians at colleges experience performance-related pain in a variety of anatomical locations depending upon instrument/voice. Performing arts health organizations can increase awareness of treatment options for musicians suffering from performance-related pain, which may lead to improved quality of life and increased career longevity for college musicians.

Growth characteristics in cerebral palsy subtypes: a comparative assessment.

AIM: Children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP) have been found to have growth rates that differ from those of children with typical development. Little research has been performed to distinguish whether growth patterns in hemiplegic, diplegic, and quadriplegic CP differ from one another. The purpose of this study was to compare growth of children with quadriplegic, hemiplegic, and diplegic CP. METHOD: Retrospective data were collected from the electronic medical record of patients with CP at an outpatient center. Linear mixed models were used to examine growth by diagnosis, using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis codes 343.0 (diplegia), 343.1 (hemiplegia), and 343.2 (quadriplegia). RESULTS: Heights and weights of children with quadriplegic CP were consistently lower than those with hemiplegic or diplegic CP. Children with hemiplegic CP had greater heights and weights than other CP subtypes. There were statistically significant differences in weight gain curves among the three diagnoses for males (p<0.05). INTERPRETATION: Our study reveals differences in growth rates between hemiplegic, diplegic, and quadriplegic CP subtypes.