Upper extremity disability among string instrumentalists–use of the quick DASH and the NDI

Figures & data

Figure 1. ICF bio-psychosocial approach to functioning and disability.

Table 1. Demographic characteristics of the participants

Variable (N = 99)	Overall
Age (X ± SD) years	33.3 ± 15.3
Gender, n (%)
Male	30 (30.3%)
Female	69 (69.7%)
String instrument, n (%)
Violin	62 (63.3%)
Viola	14 (14.3%)
Cello	19 (19.4%)
Double bass	3 (3.1%)
Playing experience (X ± SD) years	22.8 ± 16.9
Practice hours/week (X ± SD) years	13.4 ± 11.8
Dominant arm, n (%)
Right	87 (89.7%)
Left	4 (4.1%)
Both	6 (6.2%)

Table 2. Symptomatic and asymptomatic disability scores of string instrumentalists

Disability outcome measure	Mean ± SD	p-value
QuickDASH	12.9 ± 13.2	0.00
Symptomatic	13.9 ± 13.8
Asymptomatic	7.5 ± 7.7
Activity limitation sub-score	11.4 ± 12.9
Participation sub-score	12.5 ± 17.8
Impairment sub-score	16.3 ± 18.9
Sports/performing arts (QuickDASH)	18.0 ± 20.5	0.00
Symptomatic	19.5 ± 21.3
Asymptomatic	9.1 ± 12.4
Neck disability index	11.5 ± 9.8	0.00
Symptomatic	15 ± 10.5
Asymptomatic	8.0 ± 7.7

Figure 2. The graphical illustration of the mean DASH scores for each question item between the injured and non–injured string instrumentalists.

Figure 3. The graphical illustration of the mean performing art DASH scores for each question item between the injured and non–injured string instrumentalists.

Figure 4. The graphical illustration of the mean NDI scores for each question item between the injured and non–injured string instrumentalists.

Table 3. Association between disability and the severity of musculoskeletal problems in the anatomic regions

	QuickDASH	NDI
	General r p (p-value)	Music r p (p-value)	r p (p-value)
Neck	0.39 (0.00)**	0.39 (0.00)**	0.53 (0.00)**
Upper back	0.35 (0.00)**	0.35 (0.00)**	0.32 (0.00)*
Low back	0.03 (0.75)	0.03 (0.75)	0.15 (0.19)
Right shoulder	0.39 (0.00)**	0.39 (0.00)**	0.35 (0.00)**
Left shoulder	0.45 (0.00)**	0.45 (0.00)**	0.19 (0.08)
Right elbow	0.33 (0.00)**	0.33 (0.00)**	0.34 (0.00)**
Left elbow	0.32 (0.00)**	0.32 (0.00)**	0.28 (0.01)*
Right hand	0.11 (0.28)	0.11 (0.28)	0.13 (0.25)
Left hand	0.34 (0.00)**	0.34 (0.00)**	0.27 (0.01)*

Notes:

* p < 0.05.

** p < 0.01.

r _p-Pearson correlation.

Table 4. Univariate and multivariate association between outcome measures and independent variables

	Univariate		Multivariate
	OR (95% CI)	p-value	OR (95% CI)	p-value
DASH score
Age	0.02 (0.16–0.19)	0.85	0.18 (0.64–0.33)	0.52
Gender	0.14 (9.93–1.73)	0.17	0.12 (8.85–2.27)	0.24
Instrument	0.07 (4.25–8.80)	0.49	0.05 (4.38–7.54)	0.60
Practice hours	0.15 (0.40–0.06)	0.15	0.25 (0.48–0.05)	0.02*
Years of experience	0.03 (0.19–0.14)	0.75	0.28 (0.23–0.67)	0.33
Distribution of injury	0.35 (2.50–0.73)	0.00**	0.39 (2.55–0.83)	0.00**
Performing arts score
Age	0.02 (0.16–0.19)	0.85	0.18 (0.64–0.33)	0.52
Gender	0.14 (9.93–1.73)	0.17	0.12 (8.85–2.27)	0.24
Instrument	0.07 (4.25–8.80)	0.49	0.05 (4.38–7.54)	0.60
Practice hours	0.15 (0.40–0.06)	0.15	0.25 (0.48–0.05)	0.02*
Years of experience	0.03 (0.19–0.14)	0.75	0.28 (0.23–0.67)	0.33
Distribution of injury	0.35 (2.50–0.73)	0.00**	0.39 (2.55–0.83)	0.00**
NDI
Age	0.07 (0.10–0.19)	0.56	0.21 (0.19–0.42)	0.44
Gender	0.04 (5.31–3.84)	0.75	0.12 (1.61–5.83)	0.26
Instrument	0.01 (5.17–4.83)	0.95	0.02 (3.53–4.39)	0.83
Practice hours	0.12 (0.07–0.24)	0.28	0.08 (0.09–0.19)	0.46
Years of experience	0.07 (0.10–0.16)	0.64	0.07 (0.33–0.25)	0.79
Distribution of injury	0.42 (1.98–0.71)	0.00	0.51 (1.91–0.82)	0.00

^* p < 0.05.

^** p < 0.01.