Posted Monday, August 25, 2008 by
Health Sciences
Occupational Performance Issues and Predictors of Dysfunction in College Instrumentalists - UIndy professors and students publish recent research in Medical Problems of Performing Artists
Music-related injuries among musicians, including younger musicians, have been well documented; however, minimal research has been completed with college-aged instrumentalists. The purpose of this research study was to describe the presence of physical symptoms in college-age musicians and the impact of these symptoms on music-playing and other daily occupations. Data collection was completed
on college instrumental music majors using two survey questionnaires, which documented the presence of physical symptoms in the upper limb and the impact of these symptoms on function. The results indicate that a significant number of students reported pain or discomfort that occurred during music-playing, at rest, and during other daily occupations. Results were consistent with the literature in regards to the prevalence of symptoms in female instrumentalists as compared to males and the occurrence of more symptoms in those individuals playing string instruments and piano as compared to other instrument groups. Also, as self-reported pain increased, a greater level of dysfunction in occupational performance was found. Results also indicated that when participants were already implementing intervention strategies, this was perhaps a predictor of the presence of pain and dysfunction. Health professionals should be encouraged to provide preventive education for student musicians and to use outcome measures, such as the Disabilities of the Hand, Arm, and Shoulder (DASH) outcome measure, to identify the potential for functional impairments. Med Probl Perform Art 2008; 23:72–78. Rebecca Barton, DHS, OTR, Clyde Killian, PhD, PT, Morgan Bushee, OTR, Julia Callen, OTR, Teresa Cupp, OTR, Brandy Ochs, OTR, Michelle Sharp, OTR, and Katie Tetrault, OTR.
The University of Indianapolis is a private university in Indiana, and ranked among the best universities in the Midwest. It offers a range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs, as well as accelerated degree programs for adult learners seeking a bachelor’s degree through
Indiana night classes, or for students wishing to complete an Indianapolis MBA program through Saturday classes. The university is a favorite choice among students wishing to attend Indiana nursing schools, physical therapy programs in Indiana and occupational therapy programs in Indiana; all three are ranked among the best of these programs nationally.
UIndy's Art & Design faculty members (both full-time and adjunct) are now on display in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center Gallery. The faculty exhibition runs through Oct. 31 and features more than 30 pieces by 13 faculty.
throughout the 65-acre campus at 
sculpture “Sol y Sombra,”
inspired by the sunlight at a Madrid bullfight, to Jennifer Meyer’s “Big Red
Prop Flower,” a composite of found objects that serves as her “attempt to clean
up the planet.”
