Open Access

Nikolaus Ballenberger, Florian Avermann, Christoff Zalpour

• Background: Evidence concerning the development of musculoskeletal health complaints (MHCs) among music students is limited due to inappropriate study designs. We aimed to assess the occurrences of MHCs and associated risk factors in freshmen music students compared to students from other disciplines. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted. Risk factors such as pain-related, physical, and psychosocial variables were measured at baseline. Episodes of MHCs were recorded monthly. Results: A total of 146 music students and 191 students from other disciplines were analyzed. In the cross-sectional comparison, pain-related, physical, and psychosocial variables were significantly altered in music students compared to students from other disciplines. Furthermore, music students with current MHCs differed significantly from music students without current MHCs with respect to physical health, pain, and history of MHCs. Our longitudinal analysis showed that monthly MHCs were higher in music students compared to students from other disciplines. Independent predictors for monthly MHCs in music students were current MHCs and reduced physical function. Predictors for MHCs in students from other disciplines were a history of MHCs and stress. Conclusions: We provided insight into the development of MHCs and risk factors in music students. This may help in the creation of targeted, evidence-based prevention and rehabilitation.