Pisaniello, DinoWeinstein, PhilipStanhope, Jessica Louise2020-02-032020-02-032019http://hdl.handle.net/2440/123109Background: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) among musicians is reportedly high, and may have a profound impact upon those affected. Most studies have been conducted on university classical music students and professional orchestral musicians, leaving other sub-groups, such as military band musicians and opera singers, under-investigated. Even for these most commonly researched groups, there have been relatively few studies investigating the impact of MSSs, or their preventability in terms of psychosocial and organisational factors potentially associated with MSS outcomes. The central research question in this thesis was: “is there a preventable burden of musculoskeletal conditions among Australian university music students and professional musicians?”. Methods: Data were obtained from two sources: the National Data Set for Compensation-based Statistics, and a targeted questionnaire survey developed specifically for this project. Questionnaire development was informed by a systematic search and narrative review of the types of outcomes and data collection tools used to assess musicians’ MSS outcomes. The questionnaire was distributed to university music students and professional musicians, as well as a reference group of university science students and non-music university staff. The utility of the questionnaire measures was examined using Rasch analysis. Data were analysed using standard statistical methods. Results: Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for the majority of workers’ compensation claims (WCCs) made by musicians (70%), and the majority of costs (78%). Of the musicians surveyed, 90% reported MSSs in the last 12 months, and 57% reported experiencing MSSs in the last 12 months that impaired musical activities. Musculoskeletal symptoms were most common in the upper limb and spinal regions. There was no significant difference in MSS prevalence overall between musicians and the reference groups, however music students reported a higher prevalence of wrist/hand MSSs specifically. Symptomatic music students also reported higher ratings of the emotional impact of MSSs than did science students. A higher proportion of symptomatic female professional musicians reported moderate-severe pain than their university staff counterparts. The majority (82%) of musculoskeletal WCCs made by musicians were attributed to body stressing. All symptomatic musicians surveyed provided at least one perceived cause (of up to three reported) of their MSSs that was likely modifiable or preventable. The most commonly reported such perceived causes were behavioural factors (94%). Psychological distress was identified as the most important modifiable personal factor to address, as it was associated with most MSS outcomes. The evidence for other factors was less consistent, however social support, musical activity time, sitting time, and perceived work effort were associated with specific MSS outcomes. Conclusion: Evidence from this research indicates that there is a preventable burden of musicians’ musculoskeletal conditions. To reduce this burden, interventions should be developed that are directed at psychological distress. The effectiveness of these interventions should be examined with particular reference to MSSs in the upper limb and spinal regions, and to the consequences of having MSSs. If found to be safe and effective, appropriate interventions could be implemented nationally, to reduce the burden of musicians’ musculoskeletal conditions.enmusiciansmusculoskeletalpainprevalenceThesis