PA.H|LIFETIME.ai
Cohort Study: Exploring the Physical Health of Music Students
The cohort study
The PA.H|LIFETIME.ai research project at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is investigating how to improve musicians’ health in the long term and detect the risk of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders at an early stage. Using an interdisciplinary research approach, health data is analyzed to identify risk factors and lay the groundwork for personalized, evidence-based physical therapy care.
The prospective cohort study is a central component of the research project. It aims to contribute to a better understanding of the onset and progression of musician-related ailments. The findings will form an important basis for the development of targeted prevention and treatment approaches in physical therapy.
The first year of study is a particularly sensitive phase for music students. New demands, intensive practice schedules, and physical strain can be associated with an increased risk of performance-related ailments.
In particular, neuromusculoskeletal ailments—such as those affecting the back, neck, or shoulders—can interfere with practice, rehearsals, and performances. Over time, they can also jeopardize a student’s musical career.
A better understanding of physical stress and its contributing factors is therefore essential for addressing health issues early on.
12 months – 3 physiotherapy assessments – monthly questionnaires
We will follow participating music students over a period of twelve months, combining physiotherapy assessments with regular questionnaires.
- At the beginning of the study: A comprehensive physiotherapy assessment to systematically evaluate the students’ physical health, together with a detailed questionnaire.
- After six and twelve months: Two further physiotherapy assessments to document changes over the course of the study and compare them with the baseline results.
- Monthly over twelve months: Short questionnaires to continuously monitor physical complaints and potential influencing factors.
These repeated assessments will enable us to examine changes in physical health throughout the first year of study in detail and investigate potential influencing factors.
The study focuses on the following research questions:
- How do physical complaints associated with musical performance develop during the first year of study?
- Which physical and other factors are associated with the occurrence of these complaints?
- Which risk factors can be identified at an early stage?
- What opportunities does this create for prevention and physiotherapy support?
The findings are intended to contribute to a better understanding of music students’ physical health and support the development of targeted preventive measures.
In the long term, we aim to help identify health problems at an early stage, promote physical resilience, and support a healthy, largely pain-free musical education.
Beyond the cohort study, the research team aims to establish physical therapy for performing artists as an independent academic discipline and to further develop it in a sustainable manner.
An important milestone on this path was reached with the establishment of the world’s first professorship in Performing Arts Physical Therapy, which has already been filled by Prof. Dr. Bronwen Ackermann. In addition, plans are underway to develop an international master’s program to further advance academic training and specialization in this field.
Significant progress has also been made at the institutional level: In addition to the ongoing PA.H|Lifetime.ai research project, the research team, led by Prof. Dr. Christoff Zalpour, successfully submitted a proposal in response to a call for proposals to establish a research center. This will enable the PAPy (Performing Arts Physiotherapy) research center to begin its research work and advance the scientific development of this field.
Through the close integration of research, teaching, and clinical practice, the goal is to develop scientifically sound physiotherapy approaches to promote the neuromusculoskeletal health of performing artists and to sustainably integrate these approaches into clinical practice.