An Experimental Study to Analyze the Effects of Self Stretching and Postural Re Education Program for Classical Carnatic Violin Artistes in Reducing Playing Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (PRMD) of Cervical Flexor Muscle Group

Playing Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (PRMD) among musicians especially violinists are one of the prevailing concerns in Performing Arts Medicine and least explored from human factors perspective. In this study, effects of self-stretching & postural reeducation program towards reduction of PRMD in Neck flexor muscle group among Classical Carnatic violinists is studied. Experimental study design with a convenient sampling method was used for the study. 40 Eligible violinists from Harish Raghavendra School of Music, West Mambalam, Chennai were selected, of which, 10 violinists chose not to participate. Hence, after taking study participation consent, 30 young Violinists between 15–25 years across gender with a criteria of minimum five years professional music training under the same tutelage were selected and divided in to two groups (Group A- Sample & Group B- Experimental) with 15 participants in each. Both the groups were studied for a duration of 7 h (with two 15 min break every two hours) during their continuous musical concert performance. Group A Violinists performing music conventionally without any intervention & Group B Violinists performing the concert with a trained self-stretch (done before concert beginning & during the two 15 min breaks) to cervical flexor muscle group (10 Reps) and informed awareness on postural correction before the start of concert. To determine the comparative outcome on flexor muscle tightness, Range of Motion (ROM) of neck flexors are measured through a standardized Manual Goniometry method. As studies have established the correlation of performance anxiety with poor posture, MPAI (Music Performance Anxiety Inventory) tool was used. Quick DASH (Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) was used to determine the effect of intervention towards preventing PRMD among neck flexor muscle group. Statistical value difference signifies that, there is a marginal reduction in PRMD of cervical flexors among violinists in the experimental group validating the Alternate Hypothesis.