Anncristine Fjellman-Wiklundl & Gunnevi Sundelin:

The body as an instrument

PURPOSE: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common in all groups of musicians and at all levels of performance. Musicians and music teachers are subjected to high levels of mental demands in conjunction with low authority over decisions. These are considered risk factors for developing musculoskeletal complaints. The aim of this study was to describe the work- related musculoskeletal discomfort over an eight-year period and the psychosocial work environment in music teachers in a municipality in northern Sweden.

METHODS: Musculoskeletal discomfort and psychosocial exposures were obtained using validated self-report questionnaires (the Nordic Questionnaire and the Karasek-Theorell Questionnaire) among the music teachers employed at the music school of Skellefteå (17 women and 19 men).

RESULTS: In the first survey, in 1988, 29 of the 36 teachers (80%) rcported discomfort; in the second survey, in 1996, 33 teachers did so. Pain and aches were most common in the neck, the shoulders and the low back. String teachers reported most complaints. Thc psychosocial work environment was characterized by high psychological demands, low authority over decisions (28 teachers; 78%) and good social support from colleagues (32 teachers; 89%) and superiors (29 teachers; 80%).

CONCLUSION: Music teachers report high prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort as well as high psychosocial strain. In order to reduce musculoskeletal disorders prevention and ergonomic interventions should be targeted both at the physical and psychosocial work risk factors. For the individual, education in body-awareness techniques could help the teachers to listen to their bodily warning signals so they would know when it is best to stop playing, rest and relax.