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Performing Arts Medicine: Beginning Guide to Research

Prepared by student Richard Zhang, this guide will assist students who wish to gain an overview and begin research in the field of performing arts medicine.

Searching For Articles in Medical Databases

There are many databases to search for Performing Arts Medicine or related medical articles. Many are listed in the database, and many of the journals are indexed in multiple databases. To start, we'll take a look at finding a PAM journal article during PubMed.

This following video introduces MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms, and how to find, access indexed MeSH terms, and search with them. 

Skeleton of a Research Article

Research articles are commonly organized into multiple sections, but they differ based on the journal. The following list is written in the order the sections are normally seen in, and the parentheses outline the order and what concepts the reader should gleam from these sections.
Abstract (1. Start here!)

  • Provides a brief summary of the article and is often displayed as a preview
  • Informs the reader of the type of research(Case Study/report, Review, Observational studies, etc)

Introduction (2. Understand context and the research question)

  • Outlines the research's objectives and its significance
  • Establishes any context by summarizing prior research in the field
  • Answers the question of: Why is this research important or necessary?
  • Guides the reader from a broad to specific outlook, giving information necessary to understand the research

Methods (5. Check for bias and any other questions on methodology)

  • Describes how the experiment or study was conducted 
    • Example: In an observation study: how they gathered, surveyed, and analyzed responses.
  • An examination of the methods section allows readers to check for bias and other important methodological factors influencing the research.

Results (4. Follow up any questions that stemmed from reading the discussion)

  • Presents the findings of the experiment, often as tables, charts, or figures that may require statistical knowledge.
  • Results will also be presented in text-form, often analyzing or adding to related figures or tables.

Discussion (3. IMPORTANT, Meat of the article's argument)

  • Places the experiment’s results in the broader scope of the experiment, connecting it to the research question.
  • References prior experiments, showcasing how this specific experiment contributes to the field.
  • Acknowledge any limitations of the experiment and propose new questions.

References (6. For any further interest in papers referenced)

  • Lists citations referenced in the article
  • Useful for reverse-searching and expanding one's search for related articles.

 

Ref: BIOL-113 Class taught by Dr. Matlak and Dr. Anderson

Glossary of Unique Terms and Acronyms in Performing Arts Medicine

The following terms are not an exhaustive list of acronyms seen in PAM literature, but are generally mentioned in related articles. They serve as good keywords to search medical databases with. 

Medical Terms

PRMD - Performance Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

  • Some other similar terms, within the context of performers, are MHCs(Musculoskeletal health complaints), MSK (Musculoskeletal [Conditions or Disorders]), and others.

FTSD - Focal, Task-Specific Dystonia

MPIIQM - The Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire

RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury

  • Other common names are Repetitive stress injury, repetitive stress disorders, or overuse syndrome.

HADS - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

Organizations/Journals

MPPA - Medical Problems of Performing Artists

BAPAM - British Association of Performing Arts Medicine

PAMA - Performing Arts Medicine Association

ASPAH - Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare