Music and Ergonomics: A State-of-the-Art Review of Brazilian Bibliographic Production

Música e Ergonomia: Um panorama do estado da arte da produção bibliográfica Brasileira

This study provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art review of Brazilian research at the intersection of music and ergonomics. Based on a survey and analysis of doctoral theses and master’s dissertations with no restriction on publication date, as well as peer-reviewed scientific articles published between 2012 and 2022, this analysis identifies predominant themes, emerging trends, and persistent gaps in the academic discourse within these domains. The results reveal a perspective largely centered on health across much of the literature, with particular emphasis on musculoskeletal complaints, occupational disorders, and associated risks. Notably, studies originating within the field of music tend to propose more specific and concrete ergonomic interventions for musicians. The scarcity of proposed ergonomic interventions especially in studies conducted outside the field of music, points to a critical gap that requires further attention in future research. This overview advocates interdisciplinary collaboration between ergonomics specialists and scholars with deep expertise in musical performance to bridge this gap and develop evidence-based, context-specific ergonomic interventions. By clarifying the current theoretical landscape, the article aims to inform future studies, particularly in piano performance, and to encourage focused investigation of aspects that require deeper examination.

Keywords:
Music; Ergonomics; Musical performance