Chian Lim

Thesis

Thesis

Investigating the sense of coherence and salutogenic coping in professional performing musicians with focal dystonia: Supporting wellbeing through the lens of salutogenesis

• Supervisor: Naomi Norton and Mimi O'Neill

Musicians’ Focal Dystonia is a ‘task-specific movement disorder’ and is one of the most serious disorders an instrumental musician can experience: experiencing this condition very often ends a musician’s career. In addition to coping with the somatic symptoms of focal dystonia, musicians with this condition may also experience stress caused by related issues. This study will use the concept of Salutogenesis to explore how performing musicians' sense of coherence (SOC) influences their coping with focal dystonia. Salutogenesis is a well-researched concept that enables health researchers to understand why and how some people can cope with stress more successfully than others and be able to maintain their wellbeing. This approach identifies resources and examines how a person’s SOC affects resource finding and coping when encountering stressors. This research aims to enhance the wellbeing of performing musicians with focal dystonia using salutogenesis and its implications for training and the work environment of professional musicians.

Biography

Biography

After studying at the Royal College of Music, London, Chian embarked on a career as a professional viola player. As a chamber musician, he has performed on BBC Radio 3 and at Wigmore Hall on several occasions. He served as Principal Viola with the Glyndebourne Tour Orchestra and as Guest Principal with various orchestras in the UK. With the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Chian performed and recorded worldwide alongside artists such as Murray Perahia and Joshua Bell. A member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from 2014 to 2024, Chian also served on its Board of Directors from 2016 to 2019. He regularly played on film soundtracks and collaborated with pop artists, including Radiohead. As an educator, Chian conducts masterclasses internationally and regularly tutors for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. He recently completed a MA in Music Education at the University of York.