THE PERFORMING ARTS MEDICINE CLINIC

Dancers, musicians and vocalists are exceptional individuals with distinctive traits of both athletes and artists. These performing artists undergo intensive and extensive training for performances and competitions and are known to sustain overuse injuries.

Recognising their unique health needs specific to their art forms, Changi General Hospital (CGH) has launched the Performing Arts Medicine initiative and established the Performing Arts Medicine Clinic (PAMC) at the Singapore Sport & Exercise Medicine Centre (SSMC) @ Novena.

The PAMC aims to help these performing artists perform their best, and support their physical and mental wellness needs in a timely and individualised manner.

Located at Novena Medical Centre, the clinic addresses the multifaceted health and wellness needs of performing artists at all levels through comprehensive evaluation, injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, wellness and education on body mechanics and posture, while taking into consideration the intricate management required to address medical risks and expectations. Similar services are available at SSMC @ CGH.

A RISING NEED IN SINGAPORE

The interest in and demand for dance and music in Singapore is increasing. The number of members involved in performing arts interest groups has grown from 37,851 in 2015 to 50,180 in 2019, and about 8,700 performing arts activities were held each year on average from 2015 to 2019.

The prevalence of dance-related musculoskeletal injuries is as high as 84% in dancers,1 and the lifetime prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians is reported to be between 62- 93%.2 For singers, laryngitis, vocal cord haemorrhages and polyps are common acute injuries.

A study conducted in Singapore found that dance-related injuries were present in more than half of the 365 dancers surveyed.3 Another pilot study done by CGH found that 9 in 10 first-year students studying music at a tertiary level had musculoskeletal pain, and their social functioning and emotional well-being scores were found to be significantly lower than the general population.

Both studies revealed that many dancers and instrumentalists chose not to seek help, or took a rest from practice to allow recovery.

The Performing Arts Medicine Clinic - CGH

1. Jacobs CL, Cassidy JD, Côté P, Boyle E, Ramel E, Ammendolia C, Hartvigsen J, Schwartz I. Musculoskeletal Injury in Professional Dancers: Prevalence and Associated Factors: An International Cross-Sectional Study. Clin J Sport Med. 2017 Mar;27(2):153-160)

 2. Cruder C, Barbero M, Koufaki P, Soldini E, Gleeson N. Prevalence and associated factors of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders among music students in Europe. Baseline findings from the Risk of Music Students (RISMUS) longitudinal multicentre study. PLoS One. 2020 Dec 9;15(12):e024266

3. Jason KK Chia. Survey Study on the Injury Patterns, Dance Practices and Health Seeking Behaviour amongst Dancers in Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singap. 2017 Feb;46(2):76-78

 

OUR SERVICES

Led by sports physicians with an interest in dance medicine and instrumental medicine, together with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon with an interest in voice, the PAMC assesses and treats patients with the following conditions.

Musculoskeletal disorders

Dancers and instrumentalists are at higher risk of various musculoskeletal conditions that can affect bones, joints and soft tissues. They are prone to such problems due to repetitive movement and extreme bodily stress and strain.

Services include:

  • Injury diagnosis and management
  • Performer wellness and injury prevention
  • Dancers' musculoskeletal screening
  • Pointe-preparedness
  • Physical therapy
  • Sports massage

Voice disorders

Common injuries for vocalists include laryngitis, vocal cord haemorrhages, polyps and nodules. Vocalists may develop hoarseness and vocal fatigue that can interfere with the quality and endurance of the voice. A performer can also be affected by a variety of medical conditions which can include laryngitis, rhinitis and sinus disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Services include:

  • Voice Clinic consultation
  • Video-endoscopic and video stroboscopic examination of larynx
  • Speech therapy

Anxiety and mental health issues

Our sports psychologist provides guidance in mind-body skills for peak performance, performance anxiety and eating disorders, and other supportive services.

The PAMC collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to coordinate care and provide access to the full range of specialties available at CGH.

The patient’s care will be personalised and may include the following services:

  • Diet and nutrition
  • Hand occupational therapy
  • Orthopaedics
  • Physiotherapy
  • Podiatry
  • Psychology

 

HOW GPs CAN REFER

For GP referrals, please contact SSMC@Novena at:
Tel: 6737 1000 | Website: www.ssmc.sg

Operating hours:
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8.30am - 7pm
Wed: 8.30am - 9pm
Sat: 8.30am - 12.30pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

 

OUR CARE TEAM

Dance Lead
Dr Mandy Zhang
Consultant, Dept of Sport & Exercise Medicine

Dr Zhang has a special interest in performing arts medicine, particularly dance medicine, and has completed a certification course on ‘The Essentials of Performing Arts Medicine’ under the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA). She is the Chair of the Performing Arts Medicine special interest group under Sports Medicine Association Singapore and a member of the Professional Development Committee and Research Review Taskforce in the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science.

Musician Lead
Dr Lim Ang Tee
Consultant, Dept of Sport & Exercise Medicine

Dr Lim has a special interest in performance arts medicine, especially among musicians, and has completed a certification course on ‘The Essentials of Performing Arts Medicine’ under PAMA. He is working with the National University of Singapore Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music to educate students on injury prevention for playing-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Voice Lead
Clin Assoc Prof Peter Lu
Consultant, Dept of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

Professor Lu has been an ear, nose and throat specialist for over 25 years. He has a special interest in voice conditions affecting the vocal performer, especially in the effects of prolonged use of voice on vocal cords. He was involved in the setting up of the Changi General Hospital Voice Clinic, which offers a multidisciplinary approach towards evaluating and managing voice conditions.

Senior Consultants,
Dept of Sport & Exercise Medicine
Adj Assoc Prof Benedict Tan
Adj Assoc Prof Kelvin Chew
Adj Assoc Prof Roger Tian
Adj Asst Prof Ivy Lim

Principal Resident Physician,
Dept of Sport & Exercise Medicine
Dr Ng Chung Sien