Objective Music-related physical and mental health conditions are common among post-secondary music students, with many studies reporting a prevalence greater than 70%. However, there is currently no consensus on appropriate, validated assessments for this population. The aim of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of an assessment protocol developed for a German longitudinal study with Canadian post-secondary music students, and to compare the health of music students to non-music students. Using a cross-sectional design, first-semester music and non-music control students were recruited at two campuses at the same university. Both groups completed questionnaires and physical testing, including range of motion, core strength, and pressure pain threshold. Nineteen music students and 50 non-music student controls participated in this study. Results The German protocol is feasible in a Canadian post-secondary setting. Canadian music students demonstrated similar health outcomes to those in the parent study. All participants demonstrated poorer mental and physical quality of life than the Canadian norms, though this was not statistically significant. The results of this study should be confirmed in a larger study. Future studies with larger sample sizes can provide further insight into the health of Canadian music students, providing a basis for prevention and intervention.

This study examined the feasibility of employing an assessment battery developed in Germany, investigating mental and physical health of university music students, in Canada. Using a cross sectional design, first-semester music and control students were recruited at two university campuses. Eligibility criteria were: 1) first-semester, full-time undergraduate music major (case) or in another university program (control), 2) over the age of 16. Exclusion criteria were: 1) diagnosis of neurological, orthopaedic or psychological condition, 2) diagnosis of infection or systemic disease, 3) regular consumption of medication for pain or mental health diagnosis, 4) varsity athlete, 5) for controls only, enrollment in music courses where a grade is assigned for music performance (e.g. studio lessons). Both groups completed questionnaires and physical testing, including range of motion, core strength and pressure pain threshold. Data for 19 music and 50 control students were analysed. Musician participants demonstrated tendencies towards poorer mental and physical health. This German protocol is feasible in a Canadian university setting. Canadian music students demonstrate similar mental and physical health outcomes to those in the literature and in the parent study. The results of this feasibility study should be confirmed in a larger study.