Avaliação vocal e cervicoescapular em militares instrumentistas de sopro Vocal and cervicoscapular evaluation in military wind instrumentalists

ABSTRACT Purpose: This cross-sectional prospective study had the aim to evaluate vocal quality, breathing and the cervicoscapular region in wind instrumentalists of the Army Band. Methods: Forty-two male military subjects with ages ranging from 20 to 45 years were divided into: Experimental Group, with 30 wind instrumentalists, and Control Group, with 12 percussionists. All subjects underwent an interview, vocal evaluation – voice record and auditory-perceptual analysis using the GRBASI scale, respiratory type evaluation, physical therapy evaluation of the cervicoscapular region – visual examination of anterior, lateral and posterior profiles, palpation of the trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, scalene and base of occipital muscles, and cervical mobility and muscle shortenings tests. Results: No difference was found between Experimental and Control groups regarding the presence of vocal complaints; subjects from the Experimental Group had more laryngeal symptoms and reported more pain in the trapezius muscle and the cervical region, when compared to control subjects. They also had greater alterations in vocal tension and instability parameters than subjects from the Control Group. There was a higher incidence of costodiaphragmatic-abdominal breathing among the Experimental Group subjects. There was no difference between the groups regarding posture, muscle shortenings, and cervical mobility; however, the Experimental Group presented more pain during the palpation of the trapezius muscle.