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  • The assessment of trapezius muscle symptoms of piano players by the use of infrared thermography
    Publication . Lourenço da Fonseca, Sofia; Clemente, Miguel Pais; Coimbra, Daniela; Silva, António; Gabriel, Joaquim; Pinho, João Carlos
    The aim of this study is to understand the correlation of trapezius muscle symptoms in piano players during their performance. The association of piano practice and the general health of a pianist, especially concerning the musculoskeletal system, and head posture has been studied in relation to orofacial anatomic zones and is presumed to have an influence on the biomechanical behavior of the cranio-cervico-mandibular complex (CCMC). Previous research has found that the act of playing piano involves a complex neuromuscular activity with hyperactivity of the masticatory muscles and the postural muscle trapezius. Thermal image assessment was made to the pianist’s CCMC while the piano player was playing his/her piece.
  • Do pianists play with their teeth?
    Publication . Lourenço da Fonseca, Sofia; Clemente, Miguel Pais; Coimbra, Daniela; Barbosa, Álvaro; Pinho, João Carlos
    The aim of this study was to find out whether the masticatory and postural muscles are used by pianists during their music performances. The study also aimed to ascertain whether the complex neuromuscular activity involved in the act of playing the piano also encourages hyperactivity in terms of the masticatory muscles. The bio-electric potentials of the masticatory and postural muscles of 20 pianists were recorded. The electromyographical figures obtained from regarding the temporal and masseter muscles are much higher than those recorded when in the resting position. These registrations, which are not the same as those obtained, for example, when the individuals are chewing hard food such as a carrot, are nonetheless indicative of daily parafunctional activity in musicians who often study for as much as 7 hours per day.