Highlights
- •The development and use of a musically applied anatomy retraining program (MusAARP) to assess and treat focal hand dystonia in musicians – a pilot study.
- •Development of an off-instrument progressive retraining protocol for musicians (MusAARP).
- •Effective objectively and subjectively in pilot testing in improving symptoms on and off the instrument associated with focal hand dystonia.
- •Individual actions progressing into functional synergies can potentially be applied to focal hand dystonia in any population, but requires further research.
Abstract
Background
Movement dysfunctions are commonly reported in musicians, and in extreme cases may
result in a persisting loss of motor control. This condition, whereby motor control
of the hand during previously highly trained movements on the instrument is lost,
is termed focal hand dystonia. It is widely considered to be a consequence of prolonged
repetitive daily practice, often in combination with exposure to a range of other
risk factors. Current literature recommends retraining as a promising treatment intervention,
although only scant scientific evidence exists on which components should be included
in a retraining program, and how these may be best administered.
Methods
A progressive muscle activation and movement exercise program was devised by one of
the authors applying a series of anatomy-based off-instrument movement tasks. This
series of fine motor control exercises, was used to both assess and retrain focal
hand dystonia in a population of musicians. The standardized approach aimed to provide
a systematic method of retraining musically relevant muscular synergies that could
later be applied to the instrument, while still allowing individual modifications.
Retraining sessions were mostly run online as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic,
although some early sessions were also able to be undertaken face to face. Both qualitative
and quantitative measures were used in this case series to evaluate program efficacy,
due to the typical heterogeneity of the focal hand dystonia participants. This included:
blinded external neurological evaluation of video footage using the Tubiana grading
system, written subjective feedback, exercise progressions, and performance outcomes.
Results
Pilot testing of 4 patients indicated the utility of the program over approximately
a 12- month time period. All subjects improved, 2 of whom have returned to pre-dystonia
performance levels. These patients reported the importance of patience and persistence
with daily exercise sessions in their recovery.
Conclusion
Using off-instrument playing-relevant exercises to enhance fine motor control and
muscle activation can be effective in retraining focal hand dystonia, regardless of
additional treatments or level of performance. They should be regularly practiced
and progressed in order for effects to be best progressed to instrumental applications.
Further research may elucidate whether there are optimal outcomes with single or particular
combinations of treatment approaches.
Keywords
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JHT Read for Credit
Quiz: # 764
Record your answers on the Return Answer Form found on the tear-out coupon at the back of this issue or to complete online and use a credit card, go to JHTReadforCredit.com. There is only one best answer for each question.
- # 1.The subject population was _______ musicians
- a.20
- b.14
- c.4
- d.2
- a.
- # 2.The exercise program is centered on
- a.off-instrument movement tasks
- b.progressive practice sessions starting with a minimal period of playing
- c.PREs for the intrinsic muscles
- d.visualization
- a.
- # 3.A favorable outcome would see improved
- a.self esteem
- b.grip strength
- c.sensibility
- d.fine motor control
- a.
- # 4.The Tubiana rating scale
- a.incorporates 3 elements of the DASH
- b.was developed in conjunction with the Cleveland Clinic
- c.uses a 0-5 scoring system
- d.has an ICC of .98
- a.
- # 5.75% of the subjects returned to pre-dystonia playing levels
- a.true
- b.false
- a.
When submitting to the HTCC for re-certification, please batch your JHT RFC certificates in groups of 3 or more to get full credit.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 27, 2021
Accepted:
May 14,
2021
Received in revised form:
May 12,
2021
Received:
February 16,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
