The Effects of Using an Ergonomic Chinrest When Playing the Violin

University of Southern Denmark (SDU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Ergonomics

Treatments: Device: Ergonomic chinrest used with low shoulder rest (EC)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05604313

20202000-87

Details and patient eligibility

About

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:

1. the EC is superior compared to do-as-usual and gives a more aligned neck posture and less muscle tension/dynamic muscle activity
2. the EC is subjectively evaluated as better than do-as-usual regarding self-perceived comfort, performance and sound

Full description

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.

Enrollment: 38 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years or older
• speak and write fluently Danish or English
• Professional violinists
• No severe pain symptoms in the neck or upper extremities (<3) scored on a numeric rating scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst perceived pain).

Exclusion criteria

• medical conditions that could influence the test result (pacemaker or life-threatening health disorders)
• trauma on the upper cervical spine or upper extremities within the last 12 months
• previous or planned shoulder/neck operation
• severe eczema on the neck and upper extremities.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

38 participants in 2 patient groups

Ergonomic chinrest used with low shoulder rest (EC)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will play the violin using the ergonomic chinrest with a low Kun Super shoulder rest (EC)

Treatment:

Device: Ergonomic chinrest used with low shoulder rest (EC)

Do-as-usual

No Intervention group

Description:

On the test day (crossover study), participants will play with the usual preferred chin and shoulder rest.