Prolonged use of wind or brass instruments does not alter lung function in musicians.

PURPOSE Respiratory function impacts on musical expression for wind/brass (W/B) musicians. Investigation of musicians' respiratory health to date has rarely progressed further than assessments of flow limitation through spirometry. This study aimed to compare W/B musicians' respiratory function to a non-wind/brass (NW/B) group with a comprehensive respiratory function assessment. METHODS Non-smoking, non-asthmatic participants aged 18-60 years completed a respiratory health questionnaire followed by spirometry, static lung volumes, respiratory mechanics, using forced oscillations, gas transfer and airway responsiveness (AR). Measurements were compared between participant groups using T-tests and linear regression modelling. RESULTS Data from 102 participants (55 W/B musicians and 47 NW/B subjects) were included in the analysis. There were no differences between the two groups for any spirometry or lung volume outcomes, with the exception of RV/TLC which was decreased among W/B musicians (p=0.03). Measures of gas transfer and AR were similar between participant groups. Resistance at 6 Hz, measured by forced oscillation, was increased among W/B musicians compared to NW/B musicians (p=0.02) but reactance at 6 Hz was similar between the groups (p=0.10). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that W/B musicians' do not have altered respiratory function when compared to a non-musical control group. However, increased R(rs6) may indicate inflammatory, remodelling or other pathophysiological processes associated with W/B playing. Although the difference between groups was small it warrants further investigation.

[1]  K. Aoshiba,et al.  Alveolar wall apoptosis causes lung destruction and emphysematous changes. , 2003, American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology.

[2]  A. Teirstein,et al.  Pulmonary function in singers and wind-instrument players. , 1985, Chest.

[3]  S. Horvath,et al.  Electrocardiography and lung function in brass instrument players. , 1971, Archives of environmental health.

[4]  A. Bouhuys,et al.  LUNG VOLUMES AND BREATHING PATTERNS IN WIND-INSTRUMENT PLAYERS. , 1964, Journal of applied physiology.

[5]  L. G. Norman,et al.  Journal of Occupational Medicine , 1959 .

[6]  E. Oostveen,et al.  The forced oscillation technique in clinical practice: methodology, recommendations and future developments , 2003, European Respiratory Journal.

[7]  D. Jarvis,et al.  The European Community Respiratory Health Survey. , 1994, The European respiratory journal.

[8]  N. Akgün,et al.  Lung volumes in wind instrument (zurna) players. , 2015, The American review of respiratory disease.

[9]  T. B. Gilbert.  Breathing difficulties in wind instrument players. , 1998, Maryland medical journal.

[10]  Jc,et al.  Terminology, Definitions, and Classification of Chronic Pulmonary Emphysema and Related Conditions , 1959 .

[11]  G. Viegi,et al.  Standardisation of the measurement of lung volumes , 2005, European Respiratory Journal.

[12]  S. Stanojevic,et al.  Reference ranges for spirometry across all ages: a new approach. , 2008, American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine.

[13]  P. Plamenac,et al.  Atypia of the bronchial epithelium in wind instrument players and in singers: a cytopathologic study. , 1969, Acta cytologica.

[14]  M. Antoniadou,et al.  Lung function in wind instrument players , 2012 .

[15]  Donald W. Stauffer.  PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE, SELECTION, AND TRAINING OF WIND INSTRUMENT PLAYERS , 1968 .

[16]  J. Roca,et al.  Single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity prediction equations from a Mediterranean population. , 1990, The American review of respiratory disease.

[17]  J. Hankinson,et al.  Standardisation of the single-breath determination of carbon monoxide uptake in the lung , 2005, European Respiratory Journal.

[18]  W. S. Root,et al.  Lung volumes of singers. , 1960, Journal of applied physiology.

[19]  D. Jarvis,et al.  The European Community Respiratory Health Survey II , 1994, European Respiratory Journal.

[20]  J. Hankinson,et al.  Standardisation of spirometry , 2005, European Respiratory Journal.

[21]  H. Sear.  THE OCCUPATIONAL MALADIES OF MUSICIANS , 1942 .

[22]  S. Savcı,et al.  Reduced pulmonary function in wind instrument players. , 2006, Archives of medical research.

[23]  M. Segal,et al.  Analysis of dose-response curves to methacholine. An approach suitable for population studies. , 1987, The American review of respiratory disease.

[24]  R O Crapo,et al.  Pulmonary-function testing. , 1994, The New England journal of medicine.

[25]  J. Hankinson,et al.  Guidelines for methacholine and exercise challenge testing-1999. This official statement of the American Thoracic Society was adopted by the ATS Board of Directors, July 1999. , 2000, American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine.

[26]  S. Stick,et al.  Exhaled nitric oxide and asthma: complex interactions between atopy, airway responsiveness, and symptoms in a community population of children , 2003, Thorax.

[27]  S. Horvath,et al.  Some physiological observations on French horn musicians. , 1975, Journal of occupational medicine. : official publication of the Industrial Medical Association.