Occupational Diseases, Neck Pain
Conditions
Keywords
violinist
Brief summary
Nonspecific neck pain is common among violinists because of the sustained asymmetric posture required to hold the instrument. This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of a 12-week Mat Pilates program with a 12-week Reformer Pilates program on pain intensity, neck disability, neck pain-related disability and upper-extremity function in violinists aged 18-50 years with nonspecific neck pain. Thirty participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to Mat Pilates or Reformer Pilates. Both programs were delivered twice weekly in supervised group sessions of 45 minutes for 12 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks by an assessor blinded to group allocation.
Detailed description
Participants were recruited from violinists attending a private physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre in Istanbul, Türkiye. Eligible participants had nonspecific neck pain for at least 3 months with a pain intensity above 3/10 on a visual analogue scale. Randomization was performed by an independent researcher using block randomization (Random Allocation Software); allocation was concealed in sealed opaque envelopes opened after baseline assessment. Both groups received a theoretical briefing on the six Pilates principles (centering, control, breathing, precision, concentration, flow) before starting. Each 45-minute session comprised a 5-minute warm-up, a 35-minute main exercise phase and a 5-minute cool-down/stretching phase; exercises were performed for 12 repetitions with 30-second rest intervals. The Mat Pilates group performed body-weight exercises on a mat (spine stretch, hundreds, swan, mini swan, swimming, arm opening, spine rotation, shoulder rotation, arms up). The Reformer Pilates group performed exercises on a reformer apparatus in supine, seated and kneeling positions (toes, heels, walking, hundreds, triceps, side arms, forward rowing, PNF pattern, spine rotation, mermaid, mermaid with rotation, spine stretch); spring resistance was individually set at a level the participant could perform without strain and adjusted as tolerated. All sessions were supervised by a physiotherapist who corrected technique with verbal, tactile and visual cues. Participants were asked not to undertake other structured physical activity during the study period and received weekly reminder messages. Outcome assessment was performed by a blinded assessor at baseline and at the end of week 12.
Interventions
OTHERmat pilates
Supervised group Pilates exercises on a mat: spine stretch (warm-up), hundreds, swan, mini swan, swimming, arm opening, spine rotation, shoulder rotation, arms up, mermaid (cool-down). 12 repetitions per exercise, 30-s rest between exercises, 45 min per session, twice weekly for 12 weeks.
OTHERreformer pilates
Supervised group Pilates exercises on a reformer apparatus: toes, heels, walking, hundreds, triceps, side arms, forward rowing, PNF pattern, spine rotation, mermaid, mermaid with rotation, spine stretch. Spring resistance individually set at a level performed without strain. 12 repetitions per exercise, 30-s rest between exercises, 45 min per session, twice weekly for 12 weeks.
Sponsors
Uskudar University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Participants and treating physiotherapists could not be blinded because of the nature of the interventions. The outcome assessor who performed baseline and 12-week assessments was unaware of group allocation.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18-50 years * Professional violin training (student or professional violinist) * Nonspecific neck pain present for at least 3 months * Neck pain intensity \> 3 on a 0-10 visual analogue scale * No upper-extremity or spinal surgery within the previous 6 months * Written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Psychological or physical impairment precluding regular exercise * Diagnosed mental disorder * Regular medication use * Active infection * Medical condition contraindicating physical activity * Specific cause of neck pain (e.g., radiculopathy, trauma, inflammatory or neoplastic disease)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in neck pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS) | Baseline and 12 weeks | Neck pain intensity rated on a 10-cm visual analogue scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in neck pain-related disability (Neck Pain and Disability Scale, NPDS) | Baseline and 12 weeks | 20-item scale, each item scored 0-5; total score 0-100. Higher scores indicate greater pain and disability. Turkish version (Bicer et al., 2004). |
| Change in upper-extremity disability/symptoms (DASH Disability/Symptom score) | Baseline and 12 weeks | 30-item Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire; score 0-100, higher scores indicate greater disability. Turkish version (Düger et al., 2006). |
| Change in work-related upper-extremity disability (DASH Work module) | Baseline and 12 weeks | 4-item optional module; score 0-100, higher scores indicate greater work-related limitation. |
| Change in music-related upper-extremity disability (DASH Sports/Performing Arts module) | Baseline and 12 weeks | 4-item optional module completed for violin playing; score 0-100, higher scores indicate greater limitation during performance. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
STUDY_CHAIRSümeyye Postacı
Uskudar University
Outcome results
None listed