gms | German Medical Science

Objective: Cello education begins at an early age, therefore affects physical development of the person along with the musical development during education. Individuals can face various problems due to hardwork. The technical and musical challenges that are expected to be overcome during cello training provide a basis for various physical and mechanical stresses and pain. This study aimed to investigate pain and pain related temporal and spatial factors during education in students playing cello.

Materials and Methods: Nineteen cello bachleor and high school degree students between 13 and 28 years volunteered to participate to the study. To determine pain with its region, Mc Gill Melzack pain questionnaire was administered. Visual Anolog Scale was also used to detect pain intensity before, during and after the performance. A questionnaire was prepared to assess the musicians; perceptions of pain related wtih temporal and spatial cause. Qualitative questions included statements asking where and when the pain is present.

Results: As a result, 94.7% of the participants stated that they were experiencing pain due to playing. Pain was located mainly in wrist (47.4%), trapezoidal region (31,6%), elbow (26,3%) and upper neck (26,3). There was no relation between pain and age and experience (years of playing cello) (p>0.05). Of the subjects who participated in the study, 57,9% said they have pain during playing,42.1% stated that prolonged, intensive and repetetive rehearsals and exercises on cello before performance increases pain, 47.4% said pain increases when they are in a stressed place.

Conclusions: The pain in the wrist region was significant in Cello players, wrist should be examined well to understand the stressors. Joint protection training especially for painful areas can be prepared for students at an early age. Pain was very much related with working habits. Accurate timing and rest breaks should be arranged for long-term and painful cello playing exercises.