Researcher Takes on Pianists'
Injuries with Yamaha Disklavier

Imagine playing the piano at a professional level and suddenly having difficulty with passages you've been performing for many years. Imagine finding that your fingers don't follow the commands you are giving them, compromising your ability to play. Now, imagine that while treatments exist, there's no reliable diagnostic tool to direct you to them. That's been a reality for musicians who have focal hand dystonia.

Dr. Kathleen Riley videotapes a patient's performance

Focal dystonia - a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that force certain parts of the body into abnormal and sometimes painful positions - affects more than 300,000 people in the United States each year. Although it can affect anyone, it is particularly problematic for musicians because it affects the fine movement control required to play an instrument. The careers of several high-profile musicians, including pianists Gary Graffman, Leon Fleisher and, probably, the late classical pianist Glenn Gould, have been affected by focal dystonia.

Read more...