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Purpose To determine whether musicians have more sensitive, stronger, and flexible hands than non-musicians. Methods One hundred musicians and 100 control subjects were assessed for two-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament light touch, grip and pinch strength, and laxity. Musicians were included if enrolled as instrumental performance majors at a four-year accredited conservatory of music. Non-musician controls were university students who never or rarely engaged in playing an instrument. All subjects were between the ages of 18 and 28. Exclusion criteria were history of any hand condition, trauma, surgery, or diabetes. Statistical analyses were carried out using t-test, ANOVA, and correlation coefficients as appropriate. Results High-level musicians in our cohort showed the same handedness (dominance) as the general population. The musicians were weaker than the non-musicians Male musicians were significantly weaker in pinch and grip bilaterally than non-musicians whereas female musicians were significantly weaker only in grip on the right/dominant side. Two-point discrimination was significantly less in musicians for the left/non-dominant index, ring, and small fingers, right/dominant small and dominant index finger. Semmes-Weinstein testing was significantly better for the right/dominant digits, including the thumb, but not the left digits with the exception of the ring and non-dominant middle and ring. There was no difference in laxity between the 2 groups. Discussion High-level musicians have, in general, more sensitive but weaker hands than non-musicians but the differences seem small and may not be clinically important. Level of Evidence Diagnostic Level III

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