Music performance anxiety: a critical review of etiological aspects, perceived causes, coping strategies and treatment

Abstract

Background: Music performance anxiety (MPA) is understood as a sub-type of social anxiety and is characterised by fears of a musical presentation. Objective: To carry out a critical literature review on clinical and etiological aspects, perceived causes, coping strategies and treatment of MPA. Methods: Electronic databases PubMed, PsycINFO and Lilacs as well as specific periodicals were used based on the keywords symptoms, diagnosis, aetiology, perceived causes, coping strategies and treatment. Results: MPA is highly prevalent among musicians (> 16%), regardless of culture and formation. Cognitive, behavioural and physiological factors are associated with the aetiology of MPA, including biological and psychological predispositions. In addition, one should highlight factors related to the individual, aspects related to tasks and musical situation as perceived causes and/or predictor variables of MPA. As for the coping strategies, one can also highlight the use of breathing/relaxing techniques, increased musical practice, use of homeopathy and substances without medical prescription. Discussion: MPA is impacting in the musician's life. Despite the increasing interest in its study, it is necessary to better understand this complex phenomenon, mainly in the therapeutic context, in addition to the publicising and offering of services for prevention and treatment of MPA.

Musical Performance Anxiety (MPA)

“…Factors like age, gender, the kind of musical instrument, musical background, musical perception, perfectionism, and emotions compose the group of personal variables that can interfere more or less on the MPA levels [4,7].…”

“…In the musical environment, MPA has been called as "stage fright" although MPA encompasses something much bigger than that [4]. The reason is that MPA has three axes that complement each other in terms of subjective manifestations of this picture.…”

“…In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, or DSM-5, social anxiety disorder (SAD) is highlighted, in which the subject feels fear or anxiety in social interaction situations when he worries about the possibility of coming to be evaluated by the public [4].…”

Let's discuss surgical performance anxiety

“…Saying that ‘I get nervous or anxious’ or ‘I need to work on my nerves’ is acceptable and approached with a constructive attitude. PA has been documented in a number of settings, but particularly in the music profession, being termed music performance anxiety (MPA) …”

“…Performance anxiety (PA) extends beyond the normal, routine, daily anxieties and stresses, to a potentially debilitating anxiety in the context of a ‘performance’. It is more a fear of being negatively judged than a fear of underperforming, although this fear may contribute. A number of MPA management strategies have been reported to be beneficial, including cognitive behavioural therapy and the use of medications, such as beta‐blockers; However, further studies to establish treatment efficacy is required, as only modest responses may be observed .…”