Self-reported and Objectively Measured Muscle Tension and Neck Kinematics in Violinists Playing With an Ergonomic and Usual Chinrest: a Randomised Crossover Study
Self-reported and Objectively Measured Muscle Tension and Neck Kinematics in Violinists Playing With an Ergonomic and Usual Chinrest: a Randomised Crossover Study
A one-day crossover randomised trial was conducted to compare violinists using an ergonomic chinrest (EC) with do-as-usual on muscle activation, kinematics and sound. After two weeks of testing the EC, self-perceived evaluations on comfort, performance, sound, neck alignment and muscle tension were reported in a questionnaire between EC and do-as-usual.
The main question is to answer if:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the measurement of neck kinematics, muscle activation and sound when using EC and a usual chinrest and, additionally, their self-reported experience of neck alignment, muscle tension, sound experience, performance, and comfort.
It is a crossover, block randomised (block sizes of 4) and within-subjects experimental design performed in one day. The design was made to compare an ergonomic chinrest used with a low shoulder rest (EC) with preferred chin and shoulder rest (do-as-usual) in a randomised order and the effect on muscle activation, kinematics and sound. The study also includes a two-week familiarisation period testing the EC before the test day (crossover design). After these two weeks, a questionnaire was given to register self-reported performance, comfort and sound experience.
Furthermore, the participants were asked in an SMS about what ergonomic equipment they used after half a year (the EC, do-as-usual or other equipment).
On the test day, all participants played with both setup an excerpt of a music piece (second movement from W. A. Mozart's violin concerto no. 5 in A major),
The required sample size was estimated based on a previous feasibility study of either being in an awkward or neutral position with the head. We aimed to recruit 38 professional violinists. A professional violinist was defined as having finished the music conservatory with the violin as the main subject or attending school enrolled in the last years (master/soloist player).
The protocol was initial feasibility tested, and we report this study using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 extension to randomised crossover trials.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: