When Helping Hurts: A Survey of Performance-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Music Therapists.

Bush, Hannah Ivey; Woods, SueAnn; Lilly, Christa; Abildso, Christiaan; Davidov, Danielle · J Occup Environ Med · 2026

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

This study examined the rate of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD) in music therapists. A cross-sectional survey was sent to all actively board-certified music therapists in the United States. A provisional estimate of 84% (n=642) of this sample of music therapists reported experiencing PRMD in their lifetime, with wrists/hands being most injured. Risk factors associated with increased odds of injury included multiple occupational factors and job stress. Most music therapists reported experiencing mild disability in the past week. A variety of psychological factors were associated with higher levels of current disability while one social factor contributed to lower current disability scores. Occupational injury in music therapists is high with a variety of work-related risk factors. Despite when they were initially injured, most participants were still working with mild levels of disability.