MusicCohort: Pilot feasibility of a protocol to assess students’ physical and mental health in a Canadian post-secondary school of music

Abstract

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.

– The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences 2024 Official Conference Proceedings

“…They are also concerned with efficiency of performing live music (MacDonald, Miell, & Morgan, 2000). It is clearly seen that the 1 st year music students of a university in Canada had higher mental health problems regarding anxiety and stress than the 1 st year students who did not study music (Bruder et al, 2021). This is consistent with a study conducted by Gilbert (2021) finding that undergraduate students majoring in music had higher anxiety and depression than students who did not major in music.…”

Musculoskeletal Health Complaints and Associated Risk Factors in Freshmen Music Students

“…These findings are in line with other research. Results from a Canadian study sample showed that music students have poorer mental and physical health than non-music controls [ 48 ]. Furthermore, Steinmetz et al reported more painful body regions and musculoskeletal dysfunctions in music students compared to non-musicians [ 15 ].…”