Psychological Treatment of Musical Performance Anxiety: Current Status and Future Directions.

Abstract

A comprehensive review of research evaluating psychological treatments of musical performance anxiety is provided. Studies were evaluated against key methodological criteria for psychotherapy outcome research. Available literature points to the utility of exposure and cognitive therapies, although there is no clear-cut evidence suggesting the superiority of one approach or benefits of combining the two. Past research is characterized by recurring methodological limitations, particularly overreliance on self-report outcome measures. Future investigations should consider screening out individuals who do not evidence marked dysfunction and whose anxiety results from weak technical ability, as well as including treatment manuals, multiple therapists, multichannel outcome measures, and follow-up data. Clinicians working with musicians experiencing performance anxiety may wish to incorporate exposure and cognitive restructuring in treatment.

Yoga Ameliorates Performance Anxiety and Mood Disturbance in Young Professional Musicians

“…The yoga program incorporated several components that were targeted to alleviate anxiety including meditation, breath control, and counseling directed at specific music performance problems and career stressors (Chang et al 2003;McGinnis and Milling 2005). Participants found that yogic breath control techniques helped them more effectively manage performance anxiety, especially immediately prior to a concert.…”

“…Treatments for musical performance anxiety include pharmacological, psychological, and behavioral approaches (Kenny 2005;McGinnis and Milling 2005;Smith et al 2000;Wilson and Roland 2002). Pharmacological treatment is not a viable option for many musicians (Birk 2004;Kenny 2005;McGinnis and Milling 2005;Smith et al 2000) because anti-anxiety drugs may disrupt the fine motor control that is critical to performing music at an elite level.…”

“…Pharmacological treatment is not a viable option for many musicians (Birk 2004;Kenny 2005;McGinnis and Milling 2005;Smith et al 2000) because anti-anxiety drugs may disrupt the fine motor control that is critical to performing music at an elite level. Psychological and behavioral treatment approaches have been more widely evaluated and, in general, have been shown to be effective (Kenny 2005;McGinnis and Milling 2005).…”

“…Pharmacological treatment is not a viable option for many musicians (Birk 2004;Kenny 2005;McGinnis and Milling 2005;Smith et al 2000) because anti-anxiety drugs may disrupt the fine motor control that is critical to performing music at an elite level. Psychological and behavioral treatment approaches have been more widely evaluated and, in general, have been shown to be effective (Kenny 2005;McGinnis and Milling 2005). These approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, systematic desensitization, hypnosis, psychotherapy, and a variety of mind-body techniques including biofeedback, music therapy, Alexander technique, progressive muscle relaxation, breath regulation, and meditation (reviewed in Kenny 2005;Kenny and Osborne 2006;Kesselring 2006;McGinnis and Milling 2005;Powell 2004;Smith et al 2000).…”

Interventions for music performance anxiety: results from a systematic literature review

“…The impact of MPA on musicians is a frequently referred topic in literature worldwide 5,6,34 as is the need for studies which assess ways to treat and minimise this type of anxiety 35 . Thus, a relatively low number of studies performed thus far have aimed to assess the effectiveness of interventions to combat MPA, particularly if one considers the diversity of interventions and outcomes analysed and the limited number of subjects exposed to the interventions.…”