Musicians' musculoskeletal problems are common, but prevention evidence remains uncertain
An overview of research reviews found wide variation in reported problems and inconclusive evidence for exercise, posture education and massage.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Musculoskeletal disorders were frequently reported among musicians, especially in the neck, shoulders and hands. The review identified patterns involving playing demands, ergonomics and stress, but these do not establish individual causes. Exercise, posture education and massage showed possible benefits; the evidence was too uncertain to identify reliably effective prevention strategies.
The authors cite methodological weaknesses and inconsistent evidence. The abstract does not give musicians' ages, measurement periods or detailed comparisons for prevention approaches, limiting how specifically the findings can be applied.
What researchers found
Reported prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders
A range across reviews of musicians; comparison groups and measurement periods were not specified in the abstract.
Reading the range
This study summarized existing systematic reviews rather than recruiting musicians for a new experiment. The broad prevalence range describes variation across the reviewed evidence; it should not be read as a single estimate for every musician.
Patterns are not prescriptions
Higher rates were reported among women, string and keyboard players, and people with demanding practice schedules. These group patterns can guide research questions, but they do not establish that changing a particular habit prevents injury.
The original publication
Musculoskeletal disorders in musicians: an overview of systematic reviews.
Cerda-Díaz L, Antúnez-Riveros M, Bracchiglione J et al.
Occup Med (Lond) · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41691705
- Record checked
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