Since the beginning of 1996, we have been working closely with the University of North Texas (UNT) School of Music and UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth to establish the Texas Center for Music Medicine at UNT. A major part of this Center's research and service activities includes performance theory concepts and utilize measurement instruments developed at HPI.

1999 Clarinetist Study

The prime goal of this project is to identify the pathophysiology of common pain generating mechanisms in clarinetists, the understanding of which is a requisite for the planning of adequate treatment and prevention based training. The scope of the project includes determining relationships between functional capacities, performance dynamics and vocational traits to the onset, progression and severity of upper extremity injuries associated with clarinet performance. Atraumatic neuroselective current and vibration perception threshold measurements will be obtained from the median and ulnar digital nerves before and after performance sessions. Designed to quickly tax the performing musician, sessions will include continuous force measurements generated at the right thumb, wrist postures, and perception of pain and discomfort. The goals include demonstration of how measurable changes related to music performance may be useful in assessing and preventing hand and wrist problems associated with music performance. This information will have short-term usefulness towards the development of a robust Musician Health Surveillance and Risk Detection Program and long term benefits towards how music educators and physicians understand, prevent and treat this condition. A multidisciplinary team of experts committed to medical problems of musicians will collaborate on this project. Because wrist and hand problems among musicians occur at astonishingly high rates, this project will have positive and meaningful national impact.