PREVALENCE OF CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN PROFESSIONAL GUITARIST

Registration ID: IJNRD_310990

Published ID: IJNRD2512167

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Dr. Manasi Omkar sukhatankar, Mr. joel Bapurao Sakharkar

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Guitarists, Repetitive Strain Injury, Boston Carpal tunnel Questionnaire, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Median nerve compression, Prevalence Study.

Background: One of the most widespread entrapment neuropathies that is afflicted by people engaged in repetitive hand and wrist movements is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The latter is especially dangerous to professional guitarists who have to practice long hours, make repetitive motions with their fret and strumming, and maintain postures of their wrists that cause higher intracarpal pressure. Although performance-related musculoskeletal disorders are becoming more well-known, there is very little epidemiological information on CTS in guitarists. Objective: To find out the incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in professional guitarists and to examine the risk factors related to this condition including the age, years of playing, and the hours of practice. Methodology: One hundred and ten professional guitarists (110) aged between 18 and 45 years were selected through stratified sampling and a cross-sectional study was carried out on them. Those who had more than 3 years of playing experience were involved. Symptom severity and functional status were determined by the use of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ). Data analysis was done to establish severity and prevalence distribution. Results: The researchers discovered that CTS was observed in 80.91% of the respondents. Severe symptoms were exhibited by 32.73%. 28.18% mild to moderate, 20% moderate, 19.09% mild/normal severity. Increased prevalence was related to longer playing experience (1020 years) and longer hours of practice (more than 35 hours per day). Conclusion: CTS is very common with professional guitarists which means that it is a major occupational health problem. Median nerve compression is mainly caused by prolonged repetitive movements of wrists and fingers, accompanied by prolonged postures. Ergonomic training, physiotherapy interventions, early screening, and routine practice routines are necessary to minimize long-term disability and help musicians to perform longer. Keywords: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Guitarists, Repetitive Strain Injury, Boston Carpal tunnel Questionnaire, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Median nerve compression, Prevalence Study. MANUSCRIPT TITLE: PREVALENCE OF CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN PROFESSIONAL GUITARIST INTRODUCTION Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is extremely widespread and can attack the wrist and hand causing pain, numbness and a pins-and-needles feeling ⁽¹⁾. It is a health condition that occurs when the median nerve (the nerve that runs through the forearm to the palm) becomes compressed or aggravated as it runs through the carpal tunnel of the wrist ⁽²⁾. This nerve is significant as it provides strength and sensation to the thumb and the first three fingers and hence any pressure on the nerve may result in difficulty of performing routine activities ⁽³⁾. Repetitive motion of the wrists as well as strange positions of the hands are often associated with CTS ⁽⁴⁾. This makes people, who use their hands a lot, such as musicians and to a certain extent, guitarists highly susceptible to this condition ⁽⁵⁾. Guitarist NEED OF THE STUDY • These motions are particularly occurred when performed during a long time in practice or performance. It may result into inflammation and pressure on the median nerve Repetitive wrist and finger movements lead to the flexor tendon inflammation in the small tunnel of the carpel causing greater pressure and compression of the median nerve, causing CTS. CTS may severely reduce the playing and performance capabilities of professional guitarists, so it is a relevant issue in the music community AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Aim: The aim of this research is to determine the prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) among guitarists as well as to determine the factors that might make people in this group more susceptible to the development of CTS. . Objectives: To establish the prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in professional guitarists, in different age brackets and experience levels. METHODOLOGY • 1. Study Design - cross-sectional • 2. Study Population- - Professional guitarists (who perform regularly and/or teach music professionally). • 3. Sample Size- The study will target a sample size of approximately 110 guitarists. The sample will include individuals from various age groups, genders, and experience levels. A stratified sampling approach will be used to ensure adequate representation of professional guitarists. Inclusion Criteria: 3. Guitarists with not less than over 3 years playing experience 4. Age group- 18-45 yr Exclusion Criteria: 1. Guitarists with known history of wrist injuries 2. Guitarists with known prior conditions that could interfere with the wrist or hand functioning (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis). Outcome Measure: • Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire PROCEDURE Selection of Subjects ↓ 115 subjects included based on inclusion & exclusion criteria ↓ Written informed consent obtained after explaining risks & benefits ↓ Explanation given about aims, risks & procedure of the study ↓ Functional task performance using Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) ↓ Observation & Recording of performance for each task ↓ Data Analysis and Discussion of Results RESULTS • Mean ± SD: • Age (years): 30.70 ± 7.49 • Duration of Playing (years): 10.42 ± 4.93 • Daily Playing Time (hours): 3.41 ± 1.31 • CTS Severity (%): • Normal/Mild: 19.09 • Moderate: 20 • Mild to Moderate: 28.18 • Severe: 32.73 • CTS Prevalence (%): • CTS Present: 80.91 • CTS Absent: 19.09 Statistical Analysis: • Correlation Analysis (Pearson’s r): 1. Age–CTS Severity: +0.36 (moderate positive correlation) 2. Duration of Playing–CTS Severity: +0.48 (moderate positive correlation) 3. Daily Playing Time–CTS Severity: +0.42 (moderate positive correlation) DISCUSSION The current paper is a strong indication that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is extremely common among the guitarists and more so among the guitarists who practice long and repetitive music⁽³⁾. Having a sample of 110 guitarists aged 18-45 years and the mean age of the sample was about 31 years, the results reveal a population that is the most active and professionally involved age group in the music performance⁽⁵⁾. Most of these people were in the 28-37 age range, which is generally associated with the high productivity of music, more intense practice routines, and more performance expectations⁽⁷⁾. This age distribution in itself is an indicator of a possible intersection: the very same age range of life when the skills are the most developed, and the level of performance is the greatest is also the age range when the risk of musculoskeletal and nerve-related disorders like CTS is the highest⁽⁹⁾. CONCLUSION The current research has come up with the conclusion that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is very common among professional guitarists and this is mainly because of repetitive movements of the wrist, and additional time of playing. Symptoms are to be identified early and adequately address them to limit the compression of nerves and career limiting disability. According to the results, musicians need to be advised to play using ergonomic positions, take frequent breaks during the practice time, and pursue the assistance of physiotherapy specialists to ensure that their hands are functional. The health of the hand and the wrist are essential to the long and successful musical career. LIMITATIONS 1. Only 110 guitarists took part in the study, which might not be a representative number of all kinds and levels of performers. 2. 2.The research was cross-sectional which did not allow determining cause and effect relationships. 3. CSR was mostly diagnosed using questionnaires without electrophysiological tests. 4. Other risk factors like the hand posture, the type of instrument and practice methods were not controlled. FUTURE SCOPE 1. Longitudinal researches need to be undertaken to trace the course of CTS in guitarists with time. 2. The use of nerve conduction and EMG tests as objective diagnosis should be incorporated in future research. 3. It is recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of the ergonomic and physiotherapy-based interventions. 4. Certain risk prevention can be increased through the development of awareness and preventive training programs to musicians. REFERENCES 1. Musicians Have Thicker Median Nerve Cross Sectional Area And More Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Than Non Musicians — Emily Pratt, Henning Vauth, Gary McIlvain, Mark K. Timmons. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 35(3), 138-144, 2020. 2. Neural Tissue Tightness Of The Upper Extremities In Guitarists — Deepika Sathaye, Sona Kolke, Ashok Shyam, Parag Sancheti. Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, 23(02), 2050001, 2020. 3. Overuse Syndrome Of The Hand And Wrist In Musicians: A Systematic Review — Julia Betzl, Ursula Kraneburg, Kai Megerle. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), 45(6), 636-642, 2020. 4. Getting Over Overuse Injuries: A Broad Review Of Interventions For Musicians And Carpal Tunnel Patients — Andrea Escoto, Shannon Keith. Azusa Pacific University, 2021. 5. Disability And Severity Of Playing Related Soft Tissue Injuries Among Professional Guitar Players: A Cross Sectional Survey — SD Shahanawaz, Tolgahan Acar, Vamsi Krishna Gannamaneni. European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine, 7(02), 2020. 6. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome In Musicians: A Review — Chan YL, Silverstein BA. Hand Clinics, 2019. 7. Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders In Guitarists — Kok LM et al. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 2018. 8. Influence Of Guitar Playing Posture On Hand And Wrist Biomechanics — Fry H. Journal of Performing Arts Medicine, 2017. 9. Prevalence Of Upper Limb Disorders In Musicians — Zaza C. Occupational Medicine, 2017. 10. Ergonomic Risk Factors In Guitar Players — Mendes A et al. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, 2019. 11. Median Nerve Mobility And Nerve Gliding Techniques Effectiveness — Coppieters M. Manual Therapy, 2017. 12. Impact Of Wrist Flexion On Median Nerve Compression — Werner R. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 2018.

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Dr. Manasi Omkar sukhatankar & Mr. joel Bapurao Sakharkar (December-2025). PREVALENCE OF CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN PROFESSIONAL GUITARIST. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NOVEL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, 10(12), b613-b623. https://ijnrd.org/papers/IJNRD2512167.pdf

Volume 10 Issue 12, December-2025

Pages : b613-b623

Paper Reg. ID: IJNRD_310990

Published Paper Id: IJNRD2512167

Research Area: Medical Science All

Author Type: Indian Author

Country: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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