A systematic review of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD) among tertiary-level professional music students: Exploring gender, psychological, and physiological determinants.
Vol 10, Issue 1, 2025, Article identifier:
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Abstract
Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the methodological quality of articles on the prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD) in music students tertiary, and to determine the prevalence rate and associated factors of PRMD.
Methods: This review included crosssectional studies that described data on music students and were published in English between 1/1/2000 and 9/20/2024. Databases used in this study included, Web of Science (core collection), MEDLINE, sciELO, PubMed and Scopus. Reviewers used the Loney scale to assess methodological quality, and only studies that scored 5 were included.
Results: A total of 479 articles have been identified, among which 11 cross - sectional studies were selected for methodological assessment. All of these studies achieved satisfactory scores regarding methodological quality. The prevalence rate of PRMD was remarkably high, varying from 28.9% to 80.7%. Female student musicians were more susceptible compared to those of other genders. Students lacking exercise habits were at higher risk. String and keyboard instrument players had the highest probabilities of PRMD. The traits of anxiety and perfectionism among music students were closely associated with PRMD.
Conclusions: Music students are generally affected by PRMD. The gender, exercise habits and emotional traits of students are highly correlated with PRMD. Low response rates are a prevalent issue, and researchers from different continents tend to use different survey tools.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i1.3377
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