An Occupational Study of Physical Playing-related Injuries in College Music Students

Abstract

Several studies have been conducted on the playing-related physical injuries of college music students. In this study, a client-centered, occupation-based survey was administered to music majors at a large midwestern university. The primary objectives of the study were to examine which health professionals were consulted by this population, and to determine student satisfaction with any treatment they might have received. Secondary objectives included evaluating students’ perceptions of the need for professionals with specialized knowledge of music and musicians, and examining the lifetime prevalence of playing-related injuries in this population. The survey response rate was 92.3% (108/117). Ninety-three respondents (87.7%) of 106 indicated that they had experienced playing-related injuries at some time in their lives. Forty-four percent of students who reported playing-related injuries had consulted health professionals (41/93), while only 24.7% had sought treatment from health professionals. Of the 93 students who reported a playing-related injury, 41.9% (39) had consulted either an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, or an athletic trainer, compared with 58.1% who had consulted other health care professionals listed in the questionnaire. 86.9% of the students were satisfied with the treatment they received, and those who felt better immediately after treatment were also more likely to feel better at the time of the study. The majority of the respondents (79%) felt that musical knowledge was important in health professionals who might treat their injuries. Occupational therapy, an allied health profession that has a holistic and client-centered treatment philosophy, is discussed in relation to the treatment of injuries in this population.