Orofacial Pain and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Musicians in German Amateur Orchestras (OSQ-MUS)

Orofacial Pain, Sleep-Related Problems, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Musicians in German Amateur Orchestras: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

This cross-sectional online survey investigates the prevalence of orofacial pain, sleep-related problems, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adult musicians who play in German amateur orchestras. Participants complete a single, anonymous, approximately 10-minute questionnaire covering demographic data, orofacial pain, sleep bruxism, perceived stress, sleep quality, and the German short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The study examines whether these outcomes differ between instrument groups (woodwind, brass, string, percussion, and other instruments). The primary hypothesis is that players of wind instruments (woodwind and brass) more frequently report orofacial pain and experience a different OHRQoL than players of other instrument groups. The study has a pilot character and aims to generate data to inform future research and targeted dental care concepts for this population.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Sleep Bruxism; Orofacial Pain; Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL)
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Questionaire

Detailed Description

Background: Germany has both one of the world's highest densities of professional orchestras and a rich amateur orchestra landscape, with approximately 30,300 musicians active across 863 amateur orchestras (BDLO). While making music, amateur musicians are exposed to physical and psychological demands that may affect oral health. Orofacial pain in musicians has been associated with sleep bruxism, perceived stress, and reduced sleep quality, all of which may negatively affect OHRQoL. Instrument-specific oral effects have been described particularly for wind instrumentalists compared with other instrument groups (e.g., string and percussion), related to specific playing technique and the coordinated action of the orofacial musculature. Playing a wind instrument has been linked to temporomandibular dysfunction, orofacial pain, and increased masticatory muscle activity. Unlike professional musicians, amateur musicians often have more heterogeneous and less systematic instrumental training, so a suboptimal playing technique and unfavorable posture may contribute to muscular overload. To date, no systematically collected data on orofacial pain, sleep-related problems, and OHRQoL of amateur musicians in Germany are available.

Objective: To investigate orofacial pain, sleep-related problems, and OHRQoL among musicians in German amateur orchestras and to identify possible differences between instrument groups (woodwind, brass, string, percussion, and other instruments such as piano, harp, celesta).

Hypothesis: Amateur musicians who play wind instruments (woodwind and brass) more frequently suffer from orofacial pain and experience a different OHRQoL than amateur musicians who play other instrument groups.

Methods: This is a monocentric, cross-sectional online survey. A standardized online questionnaire is distributed to all 863 German amateur orchestras and additionally disseminated via the BDLO newsletter. The questionnaire covers demographic data (age, sex, instrument, duration of amateur orchestra membership) and specific questions on orofacial pain, sleep bruxism, perceived stress, and sleep quality. The German version of the OHIP-14 is used to assess OHRQoL. The survey is provided electronically via the University Medical Center Göttingen electronic survey system (EvaSys, ISO 27001 certified). Participation is voluntary and anonymous; completion of the questionnaire constitutes consent. Completion takes approximately 10 minutes, and the survey closes after 12 weeks for each participant. A reminder is sent to the orchestras and via the BDLO newsletter after 6 weeks.

Statistical analysis: Continuous variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation or as median with interquartile range; categorical variables as absolute and relative frequencies. Group comparisons use the chi-square test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate. Multivariable logistic regression is used to identify independent predictors of the presence of orofacial pain, and linear regression for the OHIP-14 summary score, each adjusted for relevant covariates. Odds ratios are reported with 95% confidence intervals and adjusted for age and sex.

The study is conducted in accordance with the current version of the Declaration of Helsinki. The protocol is submitted to the Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center Göttingen prior to the start of the survey.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 400

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Felix Marschner, Dr, MSc; Phone Number: +49 551 39-60870; Email: felix.marschner@med.uni-goettingen.de

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Göttingen, Germany, 37077
    • University Medical Center Göttingen
    • Contact: Felix Marschner, Dr, MSc; Phone Number: +49 551 39-60870; Email: felix.marschner@med.uni-goettingen.de

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult musicians (≥ 18 years) who are active members of a German amateur orchestra, recruited via a standardized online questionnaire sent to all 863 German amateur orchestras and via the Federal Association of Amateur Music - Symphony and Chamber Orchestras newsletter.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Active membership in a German amateur orchestra
• Consent to study participation (given by completing the questionnaire)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 years
• Missing / declined consent to participate

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Orchestra musicians; musicians in German amateur orchestras	Other: Questionaire; Percentage (%) of surveyed musicians with presence of orofacial pain and other studied conditions like sleep bruxism, sleep disorders, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Presence of orofacial pain	Presence of orofacial pain - self-reported via standardized questionnaire, compared between instrument groups.	10 minutes
Oral Health-Related Quality of Life	Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHIP-14 summary score) - German version; summary score range 0-56, higher scores indicating worse OHRQoL; compared between instrument groups.	10 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Self-reported sleep bruxism questionnaire	Prevalence of self-reported sleep bruxism, self-reported via standardized questionnaire, compared between instrument groups.	10 minutes
Self-reported perceived stress questionnaire	Perceived stress, self-reported via standardized questionnaire, compared between instrument groups.	10 minutes
Self-reported sleep quality questionnaire	Self-reported sleep quality, self-reported via standardized questionnaire, compared between instrument groups.	10 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Medical Center Goettingen
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Felix Marschner, Dr, MSc, University Medical Center Göttingen

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 6, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 14, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 20, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 14, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: orofacial pain; sleep bruxism; wind instruments; oral health-related quality of life; orchestra; amateur musicians; brass; woodwind
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Stomatognathic Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Tooth Diseases; Sleep Wake Disorders; Parasomnias; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Bruxism; Sleep Bruxism; Facial Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: 24/6/26

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No