The Effectiveness of Alexander Technique on Music Performance and Musicians' Health and Well-being – a Systematic Review

Purpose Musicians often suffer injuries related to their music playing. Therefore, some use the Alexander Technique (AT), a psycho-physical method that helps to release unnecessary muscle tension and re-educates non-beneficial movement patterns through enhanced kinaesthetic awareness. According to a recent review AT may be effective for chronic back pain. This review aimed to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of AT lessons on music performance and musicians’ health and well-being. Methods The following electronic databases were searched up to July 2012 for relevant literature: PUBMED, Google Scholar, CINAHL and EMBASE. The search criteria were "Alexander technique" AND "music*" [all fields]. References were searched, and experts and societies of AT or musicians' medicine contacted for further publications. Results 100 studies were identified. 35 studies were included for further analysis, 5 of which were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 5 controlled but not randomised, 5 not controlled, 5 qualitative case studies, 2 mixed-models (RCT and case studies), 7 surveys, 4 qualitative case reports and 2 unpublished pilot studies. 13 to 72 musicians participated per RCT. In 5 RCTs AT groups received between 12 and 20 one-to-one lessons. In 4 RCTs control groups received no interventions. Primary outcomes were performance anxiety, performance, "use" as well as respiratory function and pain. Performance anxiety decreased by AT in 3 of 4 RCTs. Music performance was improved by AT in 1 RCT, yet in 2 RCTs comparing neurofeedback (NF) to AT, only NF showed improvements. Conclusions To investigate the effectiveness of AT in musicians a variety of study designs and outcome measures have been used. Evidence from RCTs suggests that AT may improve performance anxiety in musicians. Effects on music performance, body use and respiratory function yet remain inconsistent. Future trials with well-established study designs are warranted to further and more reliably explore the potential of AT as a relatively low cost and low risk method in the interest of musicians.

The fountain of sacred song : a collection of new church music, for choirs, congregations, singing schools and conventions /

Publisher's advertisements: back cover.

Hail, Ceres, hail : cantata for soprano and alto soli, and chorus of mixed voices /

For soloists (SA), chorus (SATB), and piano.

America the beautiful : four-part song for mixed voices /

Caption title.

The Boston musical education society's collection of church music : consisting of original psalm and hymn tunes, select pieces, chants, &c., including compositions adapted to the service of the Protestant Episcopal Church /

Two voice parts with keyboard accompaniment.

Shaker music : original inspirational hymns and songs illustrative of the resurrection life and testimony of the Shakers.

Includes index.

Church melodist: a collection of sacred music, comprising, in addition to most of the old standard tunes, a great variety of new and original tunes, sentences, chants, anthems, &c. Adapted to social and religious worship, societies, singing schools, &c.

For chorus (SATB), principally with figured bass.

The Boston Handel and Haydn Society collection of church music : being a selection of the most approved psalm and hymn tunes, anthems, sentences, chants, &c. : together with many beautiful extracts from the works of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and other eminent composers, harmonized for three and four voices, with a figured base for the organ and piano forte /

Mode of access: Internet.

Das Paradies und die Peri. [music] : op. 50 : for soli, chorus and orchestra /

"Dichtung aus Lalla Rookh von Th. Moore"--Caption.

Mass in D. [music] : for soli, chorus and orchestra /

Mode of access: Internet.

Psalm no. 150. [music] : for chorus, soprano solo and orchestra /

Text in German with foreword in English and German.

Vesperae de Dominica. [music] : K. 321 /

For chorus (SATB) and orchestra; arr. for chorus (SATB) and piano.

Te Deum. [music] /

"Te Deum" in Latin, German and English: p. [3]-[4].

Te deum and Jubilate for the Peace of Utrecht. [music] /

Original work composed in 1713.

The Lord is my shepherd. Psalm XXIII, for mixed chorus and soprano solo with piano or orchestra acc. Op. 8.

Mode of access: Internet.