Medical Problems of Performing Artists
Medical Problems of Performing Artists is the first clinical medical journal devoted to the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of medical and psychological disorders related to the performing arts. Original peer-reviewed research papers cover topics including neurologic disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, voice and hearing disorders, anxieties, stress, substance abuse, and other health issues related to actors, dancers, singers, musicians, and other performers.
Editor-Dance: Shaw Bronner, PT, PhD, OCS
Editor-Music: Nancy N. Byl, PT, MPH, PhD
Editor-Music: Eckart Altenmüller, MD
Official Journal of the:
Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare (ASPAH)
and the
Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA)
Table of Contents
MAR 2025, Vol 40, No 1
ARTICLES
Musician Identity Measurement Scale: A Validation Study
Nabeel Zuhdi, Craig Neumann, Kris Chesky
Developing occupational identity is crucial for college students as it influences their career trajectories, mental health, and well-being. Music students, particularly, may experience challenges consistent with behaviors derived from their musician identity, such as prioritizing musical peruse over academic obligations and experiencing identity shifts during transitions in their musical training. However, the lack of a well-defined conceptual framework for musician identity hinders the assessment of its changeability and the comparison of research findings. To address this issue, the present study aims to establish a conceptualization of musician identity through the validation of the Musician Identity Measurement Scale (MIMS) and the assessment of its factor structure.
Influence of Stance Configuration on Postural Control While Performing Ballet Turns (Pirouette) in Novices and Experienced Dancers
Chia-Wei Lin, Hong-Wen Wu, Fong-Chin Su, Cheng-Feng Lin
Pirouettes are often first taught from the “fourth position,” which is a preparatory distance generally close to 100% of the dancer’s foot length. However, the optimal preparation distance has not yet been studied. This study investigated the impact of stance configurations (preparatory distances) on postural control in ballet turns (pirouettes) between both experienced and novice dancers.
Injury Rates in Youth Street Dancers
Lan M. Tran, Meghan L. Critchley, Isla J. Shill, Alana Madrid, Alli George, Carolyn A. Emery, Sarah J. Kenny
An increased concern for injury risk is associated with the rising popularity in street dance. Stunting movements in street dance are comparable to movements in aesthetic sports with documented high risks of concussions (e.g., cheerleading and gymnastics). Limited literature comments on street dance-related injuries and concussions in youth. PURPOSE: To assess dance-related injury risk among youth street dancers aged 11–19 years across a 6-month term in Calgary, Canada.
From Yesterday Until Today: To Celebrate a New Journal [Editorial, reprint]
Alice G. Brandfonbrener
There are few opportunities in life to participate in a truly pioneering venture. Certainly the appearance of a new medical journal in itself is not startling news. However, a new journal that pertains to a new medical specialty with unique subject matter provides a potentially innovative and exciting experience. The purpose of Medical Problems of Performing Artists is to promote interest in the medical problems of performing artists, to help in the search for and dissemination of information, and by these means to promote the well-being of this vulnerable and valuable segment of our society. [This Editorial is reprinted from MPPA, March 1986, vol. 1, issue 1, page 1.]
About MPPA
Medical Problems of Performing Artists is a peer-reviewed medical journal that provides a worldwide forum for professionals involved in practice and research related to performing arts medicine. Issued quarterly, it publishes information about the origin and nature, management, and rehabilitation of medical problems affecting musicians, dancers, vocalists, actors, and others, including anxiety, musculoskeletal injuries and overuse, finger and hand problems, voice and hearing problems, stress, eating disorders, and neuromuscular disorders.
MPPA is the official publication of the Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare (ASPAH) and Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA).
Beginning with Volume 35 (2020), MPPA is published online-only (e-journal).
Editor-Dance: Shaw Bronner, PT, PhD, OCS
Alvin Ailey and ADAM Center, New York, NYEditor-Music: Nancy N. Byl, PT, MPH, PhD
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Editor-Music: Eckart Altenmüller, MD
Institut für Musikphysiologie und Musiker-Medizin, Hannover, Germany
History: Medical Problems of Performing Artists began publishing in March 1986. It was begun by Alice Brandfonbrener, MD, who was approached by the publisher Hanley & Belfus to become its first Editor (MPPA 1995;10(4):113; MPPA 2005;20(2):63). Dr. Brandfonbrener was one of the pioneers of performing arts medicine, and in the 1980s she began organizing a conference of similar-minded physicians and researchers meeting at the Aspen Music Festival in Aspen, Colorado (MPPA 2002;12(4):147). In her first editorial in MPPA in March 1986, Dr. Branfonbrener explained the goals of the new journal: “The purpose of Medical Problems of Performing Artists is to promote interest in the medical problems of performing artists, to help in the search for and dissemination of information, and by these means to promote the well-being of this vulnerable and valuable segment of our society” (MPPA 1986;1(1):1). She went on to serve as Editor of the journal for 20 years.
Over the following years, and following Dr. Brandfonbrener’s direction, the journal has helped to build awareness of the medical and health conditions affecting musicians, dancers, vocalists, actors, and other performing artists, as well as to inspire scientific research into their origins and treatment. In 1990, the journal was designated as the official publication of the newly formed Performing Arts Medicine Association, which Dr. Brandfonbrener, Dr. Richard Lederman, and notable others had organized in September 1989 (MPPA 1990;5(2):65). In 2005, the Dutch Performing Arts Medicine Association (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Dans- en Muziekgeneeskunde, NVDMG) adopted MPPA as its official journal (ending 2023), and in 2010, the Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare (ASPAH) joined as an official sponsor of the journal.
MPPA was selected for indexing by Medline/PubMed beginning in 2010. Since 2002, the journal has been published by Science & Medicine, who as owner and publisher of the journal, are committed to preserving the vision of Alice Brandfonbrener and promoting the well-being of performing artists.
Indexing:
The journal contents is listed and indexed in:
MEDLINE/PubMed
PsycInfo
Google Scholar
Current Contents/Arts & Humanities
ISI/BIOMED
Excerpta Medica/EMBASE
CINAHL
International Index to Music Periodicals
Music Index
RILM (Répertoire Internationale de Littérature Musicale) Abstracts of Music Literature
PAMA
Performing Arts Medicine Association is an organization comprised of dedicated medical professionals, artists, educators, and administrators with the common goal of improving the health care of the performing artist.
Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA)
PO Box 117
Englewood, CO 80151
USA
E-mail: services@artsmed.org
https://artsmed.org
ASPAH
The Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare is a charitable organization devoted to providing "holistic lifespan healthcare for performing artists," with membership open to anyone who cares about the well-being of performing artists.
Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare (ASPAH)
c/o Paul Duff, The Woy Woy General Practice
26-30 Railway Street
Woy Woy, NSW 2256
Australia
E-mail: secretary@aspah.org.au
www.aspah.org.au
Submitting Articles
MPPA is pleased to consider original research studies, case reports, systematic review articles, and letters to the editor for possible publication.