If you already play guitar, you should have no trouble learning to play a mountain dulcimer. If pain in your wrist is your main issue you will not know until you try whether you can deal with that. The angles of attack on the dulcimer are different than on guitar. There would probably be less twisting of the hand and wrist and if you chose to use a noter to press on the melody string there should be only lateral movement. By using the fingers to press on the strings you can play some simple and complicated chords and very intricate arrangements. The dulcimer works nicely as an accompaniment for singing or for instrumentals. It does not have the volume of a guitar and using with mics can be tricky if you want to get a good, clean, pure sound.