The Peabody Conservatory at the Johns Hopkins is studying the effect of verbal cueing versus visual biofeedback on restoring the pattern of muscle activation associated with reduced injury during piano playing (IRB #00323536, principal investigator Dr. Serap Bastepe-Gray).
You may be eligible to join the study if you:
- Are between the ages of 18 and 35
- Play piano or keyboard
- Are symptomatic with some upper limb pain (shoulders, arms, forearms, and hands)
- Have four or more years of experience playing, or are currently pursuing a performance degree on the piano/keyboard in a college or university, or have formal piano/keyboard training as a higher education music major
Participants will make two visits (testing sessions) to the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. The visits last about 60 minutes and are three weeks apart. The study involves playing the keyboard while measuring your upper extremity muscle activities. All data will be de-identified (will not be associated with the name of the participants).
This study provides a unique insight into your own muscle activity application patterns using surface electromyography sEMG technology (adhesive applied to the skin surface). If interested, contact Dr. Rawsam Alasmar at ralasma1@jhu.edu or 667-208-6709
