Affiliations: [a] Public Health Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil
| [b] Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil
| [c] Health Sciences College of Trairi (FACISA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Santa Cruz, RN, Brazil
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Carla Rodrigues de Lima Silva, Public Health Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Avenida Senador Salgado Filho 1787, CEP 50056-000, Lagoa Nova, Natal, RN, Brazil. E-mail: carla-adson@hotmail.com.
Note: [1] https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7768-4859
Note: [2] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3814-2675
Note: [3] https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0745-6070
Note: [4] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1385-2849
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Wind instrumentalist use the vocal tract intensively in their professional activities, which can lead to the development work-related voice disorders. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the perception of vocal tract discomfort (VTD) by wind instrumentalists from Natal, Brazil. METHOD:Cross-sectional study with 117 professional musicians and music students from six official bands/orchestras in the city of Natal. Both the Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale and a sample characterization questionnaire were applied. The Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test were applied in the statistical analysis of the variables. RESULTS:The most frequent and intense symptoms of VTD were sensitive throat and sore throat. There was a significant difference between the values of frequency and intensity of all symptoms both before and after playing the instrument. Dryness was the most intense symptom felt after playing the instrument. Musicians who report muscle pain and gastroesophageal reflux showed more VTD symptoms. CONCLUSION:Symptoms of VTD are experienced by wind instrumentalists and can be work-related since there was a difference in their perception after playing their instruments. There was also a relationship with gastroesophageal reflux and muscle pain, indicating that, in addition to collective issues, the individual musicians’ health should be taken into account.
