Prevalencia de dolor musculoesquelético y disfunciones de suelo pélvico en artistas escénicos: estudio preliminar

Objective

To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) in professional performing artists, including dancers, singers, and musicians.

Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study in which male and female participants were assessed through a five-section questionnaire: 1) Informed consent, 2) Sociodemographic data, 3) Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ), 4) Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), and 5) Open-ended questions regarding knowledge of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM).

Results

A total of 45 participants completed the questionnaire, of which 2 were excluded, leaving 9 men and 34 women. The median age was 24 years, and the median experience in their field was 13 years.

All participants (100%) reported musculoskeletal pain in the past 12 months, primarily in the neck (88%) and lower back (86%). Additionally, 47% were unable to perform their usual work due to pain. The prevalence of PFD symptoms was 86%. Urinary symptoms were the most prevalent in both sexes, representing 91.2% of the total. Moreover, 66.7% of participants did not recognize the structures and functions of the PFM, although 71.4% knew how to contract them.

Conclusions

The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the neck and lumbar region, is high, as is the prevalence of PFD symptoms among performing artists. Understanding these aspects can help in proposing effective strategies and interventions to improve the health conditions of performing artists.