Effects of Psychological Stress on State Anxiety, Electromyographic Activity, and Arpeggio Performance in Pianists

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 120-132
Author(s):  
Michiko Yoshie ◽  
Kazutoshi Kudo ◽  
Tatsuyuki Ohtsuki
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Stress ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Sweat Rate ◽  
Music Performance ◽  
Anxiety Score ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
Systems Model ◽  
High Trait Anxiety

The present study examined the effects of psychological stress, as manipulated by performance evaluation, on the cognitive, physiological, and behavioral components of music performance anxiety (MPA) and performance quality. Twelve skilled pianists (five women, seven men) aged 21.9 ± 3.3 yrs performed arpeggios on a digital piano at the metronome-paced fastest possible tempo under the evaluation and no-evaluation conditions. Measurements were made of self-reported state anxiety, heart rate (HR), sweat rate (SR), and electromyographic (EMG) activity from eight arm and shoulder muscles, and MIDI signals were obtained. The increases in self-reported anxiety score, HR, and SR in the evaluation condition confirmed the effectiveness of stress manipulation. The EMG activity of all the muscles investigated significantly increased from the no-evaluation to evaluation condition, suggesting that psychological stress can add to the risk of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders. Furthermore, the elevated muscle activity in the forearm was accompanied by increased key velocities. We also obtained the first evidence of increased arm stiffness associated with MPA by estimating the cocontraction levels of antagonist muscles in the forearm and upper arm. Consistent with the three systems model of anxiety, the three MPA components were moderately intercorrelated. Participants with high trait anxiety showed stronger correlations between the self-reported anxiety score and other objective measures, which indicated their heightened perceptual sensitivity to physiological and behavioral changes caused by psychological stress. These results provide some practical implications for understanding and coping with MPA.

Effects of Meditation on Music Performance Anxiety

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 126-130
Author(s):  
Joanne C Chang ◽  
Elizabeth Midlarsky ◽  
Peter Lin
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Music Performance ◽  
Performance Anxiety ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
School Of Music ◽  
Meditation Group ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Manhattan School Of Music

This study investigated the effect of meditation on music performance anxiety. Participants were 19 students between the ages of 18 and 41 yrs, who were recruited from the Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, Yale University School of Music, and State University of New York at Purchase. The experimental group received a series of eight meditation classes, and the control group received no meditation training. After the 8-week training period, all performed in a concert. Pretests and post-tests of music performance anxiety were given and post-tests of state anxiety and of performance concentration. Performance anxiety decreased among participants in the meditation group, in contrast to participants in the control group, whose performance anxiety did not decrease. Differences in regard to post-test state anxiety and performance concentration were not significant. An additional benefit of meditation was a reported increase in relaxation pleasure even in the period immediately before the performance. Results indicate that meditation may be a useful tool for aiding performers to combat performance anxiety.

scholarly journals Performers of the night: Examining the mental health of electronic music artists

2021 ◽  
pp. 030573562097698
Author(s):  
Jolan Kegelaers ◽  
Lewie Jessen ◽  
Eline Van Audenaerde ◽  
Raôul RD Oudejans
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Electronic Music ◽  
Music Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Levels Of Functioning

Despite growing popular interest for the mental health of electronic music artists, scientific research addressing this topic has remained largely absent. As such, the aim of the current study was to examine the mental health of electronic music artists, as well as a number of determinants. Using a cross-sectional quantitative design, a total of 163 electronic music artists participated in this study. In line with the two-continua model of mental health, both symptoms of depression/anxiety and well-being were adopted as indicators for mental health. Furthermore, standardized measures were used to assess potential determinants of mental health, including sleep disturbance, music performance anxiety, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, occupational stress, resilience, and social support. Results highlighted that around 30% of participants experienced symptoms of depression/anxiety. Nevertheless, the majority of these participants still demonstrated at least moderate levels of functioning and well-being. Sleep disturbance formed a significant predictor for both symptoms of depression/anxiety and well-being. Furthermore, resilience and social support were significant predictors for well-being. The results provide a first glimpse into the mental health challenges experienced by electronic music artists and support the need for increased research as well as applied initiatives directed at safeguarding their mental health.

scholarly journals How does music performance anxiety relate to other anxiety disorders?

2021 ◽  
pp. 030573562098860
Author(s):  
Anna Wiedemann ◽  
Daniel Vogel ◽  
Catharina Voss ◽  
Jana Hoyer
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Graphical Model ◽  
Music Performance ◽  
Performance Anxiety ◽  
Separation Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
Dsm 5

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is considered a social anxiety disorder (SAD). Recent conceptualizations, however, challenge existing MPA definitions, distinguishing MPA from SAD. In this study, we aim to provide a systematic analysis of MPA interdependencies to other anxiety disorders through graphical modeling and cluster analysis. Participants were 82 music students ( Mage = 23.5 years, SD = 3.4 years; 69.5% women) with the majority being vocal (30.5%), string (24.4%), or piano (19.5%) students. MPA was measured using the German version of the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI). All participants were tested for anxiety-related symptoms using the disorder-specific anxiety measures of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., DSM-5), including agoraphobia (AG), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), separation anxiety disorder (SEP), specific phobia (SP), SAD, and illness anxiety disorder (ILL). We found no evidence of MPA being primarily connected to SAD, finding GAD acted as a full mediator between MPA and any other anxiety type. Our graphical model remained unchanged considering severe cases of MPA only (K-MPAI ⩾ 105). By means of cluster analysis, we identified two participant sub-groups of differing anxiety profiles. Participants with pathological anxiety consistently showed more severe MPA. Our findings suggest that GAD is the strongest predictor for MPA among all major DSM-5 anxiety types.

scholarly journals Effects of Attentional Focus on Motor Performance and Physiology in a Slow-Motion Violin Bow-Control Task: Evidence for the Constrained Action Hypothesis in Bowed String Technique

2021 ◽  
pp. 002242942110347
Author(s):  
Emma Allingham ◽  
Clemens Wöllner
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Music Performance ◽  
Arm Movement ◽  
Slow Motion ◽  
Attentional Focus ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Constrained Action Hypothesis ◽  
Conscious Thinking

The constrained action hypothesis states that focusing attention on action outcomes rather than body movement improves motor performance. Dexterity of motor control is key to successful music performance, making this a highly relevant topic to music education. We investigated effects of focus of attention (FOA) on motor skill performance and EMG muscle activity in a violin bowing task among experienced and novice upper strings players. Following a pedagogically informed exercise, participants attempted to produce single oscillations of the string at a time under three FOA: internal (on arm movement), external (on sound produced), and somatic (on string resistance). Experienced players’ number of bow slips was significantly reduced under somatic focus relative to internal, although number of successful oscillations was not affected. Triceps electromyographic activity was also significantly lower in somatic compared to internal foci for both expertise groups, consistent with physiological understandings of FOA effects. Participants’ reported thoughts during the experiment provided insight into whether aspects of constrained action may be evident in performers’ conscious thinking. These results provide novel support for the constrained action hypothesis in violin bow control, suggesting a somatic FOA as a promising performance-enhancing strategy for bowed string technique.

scholarly journals Modulation of the visceromotor reflex by a lumbosacral ventral root avulsion injury and repair in rats

2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (5) ◽  
pp. F641-F647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiyi H. Chang ◽  
Leif A. Havton
Keyword(s):  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Ventral Root ◽  
Oblique Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Noxious Stimulation ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Root Avulsion ◽  
Contraction Duration ◽  
Ventral Root Avulsion

Increased abdominal muscle wall activity may be part of a visceromotor reflex (VMR) response to noxious stimulation of the bladder. However, information is sparse regarding the effects of cauda equina injuries on the VMR in experimental models. We studied the effects of a unilateral L6-S1 ventral root avulsion (VRA) injury and acute ventral root reimplantation (VRI) into the spinal cord on micturition reflexes and electromyographic activity of the abdominal wall in rats. Cystometrogram (CMG) and electromyography (EMG) of the abdominal external oblique muscle (EOM) were performed. All rats demonstrated EMG activity of the EOM associated with reflex bladder contractions. At 1 wk after VRA and VRI, the duration of the EOM EMG activity associated with reflex voiding was significantly prolonged compared with age-matched sham rats. However, at 3 wk postoperatively, the duration of the EOM responses remained increased in the VRA series but had normalized in the VRI group. The EOM EMG duration was normalized for both VRA and VRI groups at 8–12 wk postoperatively. CMG recordings show increased contraction duration at 1 and 3 wk postoperatively for the VRA series, whereas the contraction duration was only increased at 1 wk postoperatively for the VRI series. Our studies suggest that a unilateral lumbosacral VRA injury results in a prolonged VMR to bladder filling using a physiological saline solution. An acute root replantation decreased the VMR induced by VRA injury and provides earlier sensory recovery.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document