Getting Into the Zone: A Pilot Study of Autonomic-Cardiac Modulation and Flow State During Piano Performance

Abstract

BackgroundMusic performance anxiety is a common experience among elite and professional musicians and impedes performers from achieving flow state, or a state of focused, sustained engagement that promotes optimal performance.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to use heart rate variability (HRV) to determine the psychophysiological underpinnings of optimal music performance.MethodsWe assessed HRV to study how autonomic-cardiac modulation was associated with flow during piano performance. Twenty-two pianists (15–22 years) with at least a Grade 8 Royal Conservatory of Music certification prepared two standardized pieces and a self-selected piece. Performer heart rate data were measured with a Polar 800 watch in 5-min periods immediately before performances, during performances and post-performance. HRV was employed to assess autonomic modulation of cardiac intervals. HRV indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation of the heart were analyzed in 2.5-min segments to monitor short-term autonomic adjustments using the Kubios HRV Software. Flow state was measured using the 36-item Flow State Scale (FSS). Relationships were analyzed using zero-order correlations and multiple linear regressions.ResultsOur sample consisted of 22 RCM Grade 8 certified pianists. Participants achieved the highest level of flow during performance of the Bach piece. Decreased HRV was observed during performance, as indicated by a significant drop in total power. Flow state was positively associated with High Frequency (HF) power during the pre-performance phase, and inversely associated with Low Frequency (LF) power during performance.ConclusionInverse association of flow with LF-HRV during performance affirms the importance of vagal-HR modulation for achievement of flow state. Increased HF-HRV and reduced LF-HRV immediately prior to performance suggests that flow state may be shaped as much by physiological preparation during pre-performance as it is by physiologic responses during performance. Further research is required to validate the correlation between autonomic modulation of the heart and flow state. Evidence of this correlation between autonomic modulation of the heart and achievement of flow state may pave the way for further research on enhancing musical performance and targeting MPA through HRV-based interventions.

Impact of music performance anxiety on cardiovascular blood pressure responses, autonomic tone and baroreceptor sensitivity to a western classical music piano-concert

“…Our work has shown to be effective in the quantitative and qualitative study of neurovegetative activation during musical performance. Judging from our study and previous studies in the literature, it appears that the degree of autonomic activation correlates with MPA levels ( Yoshie et al, 2009a , b ; Nakahara et al, 2010 ; Jha et al, 2022 ). The methodology employed could be used to categorise MPA by better distinguishing those subjects where MPA generates pathological responses and offering appropriate treatments for them.…”

“…These changes are sometimes so fast that their effects cannot be detected by conventional methods of heart rate variability analysis Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) or Regression Analysis (AR). It is necessary to use a different technique that works not only in the frequency domain but also in the domain of the temporality of the work ( Jha et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Simultaneously, this increase in tonic outflow translates into an increase in motor flow in the cortical spinal pathway, which also increases muscle tone and strength, facilitating the defence response ( Nakahara et al, 2010 ). Increased sympathetic adrenergic and cholinergic flow, together with increased muscle tone and strength are typical effects of MPA ( Jha et al, 2022 ).…”

The application of virtual reality exposure versus relaxation training in music performance anxiety: a randomized controlled study

“…With regard to music performance, HRV has already been investigated in some studies and described as a correlate of fear in the context of performance anxiety [8,14,69] but has not been established as a Biomarker. Just a few studies suppose a correlation between autonomic cardiac modulation and the flow experience during music performance [70,71]. Concerning therapeutic interventions, a randomized-controlled trial investigated a single-session biofeedback training on MPA and HRV with positive effects on HRV of a slow breathing group in comparison to controls [67].…”

Physiological synchrony and shared flow state in Javanese gamelan: positively associated while improvising, but not for traditional performance

“…However, the necessity to calculate such variance over at least 5 minutes ( Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology the North American Society of Pacing Electrophysiology, 1996 ) does not allow for the ability to observe momentary changes in parasympathetic and sympathetic activation. While HR changes as indicators of flow activity may be confounded by physical exertion ( Jaque et al, 2020 ), there still seems to be potential to relate heart rate (HR) changes to changes in flow experience in the context of music performance ( Horwitz et al, 2021 ; Jha et al, 2022 ). Ultimately this is due to the potential for sympathetic and parasympathetic activity to increase or decrease HR, respectively ( Pérez et al, 2021 ).…”