Assessment of the effects of Kinesiotaping on musical motor performance in musicians suffering from focal hand dystonia. A pilot study.

Purpose: Task-specific training and learning time are crucial factors to achieve and preserve high level of performance in a particular domain. Yet, repetitive use of a specific body segment for an extensive period can induce a deterioration of voluntary motor control due to maladaptive plastic changes in the sensorimotor system by interacting with other triggering factors such as psychological stresses, neuromuscular trauma, along with genetic susceptibility. In a musical setting, intensive training regimes can be associated with loss of motor control, leading to the manifestation of focal dystonia, also known as musician’s dystonia (MD). MD is a movement disorder compromising the playing ability of musician and in many cases terminates musical careers. The study explores the immediate and short-term effects of a Correction Kinesiotaping intervention on fine motor control in musicians with focal hand dystonia. Methods: Seven male musicians with focal hand dystonia (FHD) performed musical exercises under the following conditions: without Kinesiotape (baseline); during a Correction Kinesiotaping intervention and immediately after tape removal (block 1); during a Sham Kinesiotaping intervention and immediately after tape removal (block 2). Blocks were randomly presented across participants. A tailored Correction Kinesiotaping intervention on affected fingers was provided based on the dystonic pattern that each patient manifested while playing. Motor performance was video- documented and four independent experts assessed blindly the general performance and fingers' posture on visual analogue scales (VASs). Also, musicians’ self-reports of the musical abilities were evaluated. Finally, electromyographic activity and co- activation index of wrist antagonist muscles were analyzed. Results: No significant differences of effects between Correction Kinesiotaping and Sham Kinesiotaping were reported by the experts, either for general performance or for fingers' posture; any subtle benefits observed during Correction Kinesiotaping were lost after the tape was removed. Musicians estimated that Correction Kinesiotaping was ineffective in improving their musical abilities. Also, no significant changes with respect to the co-activation index were found among the conditions. Conclusions: Correction Kinesiotaping intervention may not be useful to reduce dystonic patterns, nor to improve playing ability, in musicians with FHD.