شيوع غيرعادي آسيب هاي تجمعي در نوازندگان ايراني

Unusual Prevalence of Cumulative Trauma Disorders Among Iranian Instrumentalists

Background: Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) are common in musicians and their prevalence rates have been studied in most Western countries. However, their prevalence that, to our experience seemed to be higher in non-professional Iranian instrumentalists, hasnʹt been studied yet. This study has been designed to confirm and explain it, if confirmed this hypothesis. Methods: In a prospective cross sectional study, we interviewed and examined the students of three music training centers in Iran. Seventy eight instrumentalists, who were playing Daf or Setar and twelve students who hadnʹt started playing were regarded as case and control groups respectively; some of them were studied electrodiagnostically too. Results: Fifty-three percent of the instrumentalists had CTDs. This rate is higher than most reported prevalence rates (9-29%). Non of them had carpal tunnel syndrome. Conclusion: Our study revealed that the prevalence of CTDs in Iranian instrumentalists was abnormally high. This is an unusual finding that canʹt be explained by the difference in the instruments (classical versus traditional), the playing method or the intensity of the exercise, so we concluded that the Iranians are supported by genetic analysis and larger studies.