. 2019 Sep 3;93(2):149–187. doi: 10.1007/s00420-019-01467-8

Table 4.

Characteristics and results of the included studies, pre–post studies without control groups

Author (year)	Population	Case (n)	Control (n)	Intervention	Outcome	Result	QA (x/15 points)
Ackermann et al. (2002a, b)	Music students “Canberra School of Music”, Australia	10/9	–	Group 1: 6-week strength training Group 2: 6-week endurance training	“PRMD’s” (performance-related musculoskeletal disorders): frequency and intensity, strength and endurance tests, i.a.	Changes in PRMD’s n.s.; stat. sign. strength gains in both exercise groups	4
Chan et al. (2014)	Orchestral musicians (symphonic orchestra), Australia	50	–	12-week exercise program by DVD, min 40 min of exercise per week	“PRMDs” (performance-related musculoskeletal disorders): frequency and intensity, i.a.	Reduction in the mean prevalence of PRMD from 3.3 (SD 2.9) to 2.1 (SD 2.1), in VAS (0–10) pain (95% CI − 2 to − 0.3 p < 0.01) and the mean intensity of PRMD from 2.9 (SD 2.4) to 1.9 (SD 1.9) in VAS (0–10) (95% CI − 1.8 to − 0.3, p < 0.01)	− 3
Steinmetz et al. (2009)	Musicians with craniomandibular dysfunctions (CMD), treated in outpatient practice of the authors, Germany	30	–	Time duration of treatment with oral splints (at least at night and during instrument playing) individually	“CMD”: symptoms, pain in multiple body regions	80% of participants reported a stat. sign. reduction in dominant symptoms, 20% of participants reported a decrease in the days unable to play, 40% of participants reported an increase in pain when not wearing the splint; mean pain in the upper extremity decreased from 3.0 to 0.9 (of max. 5); neck pain decreased from 3.0 to 2.4; pain in teeth/TMJ decreased from 1.7 to 1.0	− 4

Author (year)

Population

Case (n)

Control (n)

Intervention

Outcome

Result

QA (x/15 points)

Ackermann et al. (2002a, b)

Music students “Canberra School of Music”, Australia

10/9

–

Group 1: 6-week strength training

Group 2: 6-week endurance training

“PRMD’s” (performance-related musculoskeletal disorders): frequency and intensity, strength and endurance tests, i.a.

Changes in PRMD’s n.s.; stat. sign. strength gains in both exercise groups

Chan et al. (2014)

Orchestral musicians (symphonic orchestra), Australia

–

12-week exercise program by DVD, min 40 min of exercise per week

“PRMDs” (performance-related musculoskeletal disorders): frequency and intensity, i.a.

Reduction in the mean prevalence of PRMD from 3.3 (SD 2.9) to 2.1 (SD 2.1), in VAS (0–10) pain (95% CI − 2 to − 0.3 p < 0.01) and the mean intensity of PRMD from 2.9 (SD 2.4) to 1.9 (SD 1.9) in VAS (0–10) (95% CI − 1.8 to − 0.3, p < 0.01)

− 3

Steinmetz et al. (2009)

Musicians with craniomandibular dysfunctions (CMD), treated in outpatient practice of the authors, Germany

–

Time duration of treatment with oral splints (at least at night and during instrument playing) individually

“CMD”: symptoms, pain in multiple body regions

80% of participants reported a stat. sign. reduction in dominant symptoms, 20% of participants reported a decrease in the days unable to play, 40% of participants reported an increase in pain when not wearing the splint; mean pain in the upper extremity decreased from 3.0 to 0.9 (of max. 5); neck pain decreased from 3.0 to 2.4; pain in teeth/TMJ decreased from 1.7 to 1.0

− 4

CI confidence interval, CMD craniomandibular dysfunction, n.s. not statistically significant, QA quality assessment, SD standard deviation, stat. sign. statistically significant, TMJ temporomandibular joint, VAS visual analog scale