Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evolution of music performance anxiety and quality of performance during virtual reality exposure training

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Virtual Reality Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Virtual reality exposure is increasingly used as a method of treatment for anxiety disorders. This exploratory study examines a virtual reality exposure training (VRET) conceived for the treatment of music performance anxiety (MPA). The aim is to obtain first-level knowledge in the music field concerning VRET. This article analyzes how MPA, concentration and quality of performance evolve during VRET. Nine music students participated in six 1-h sessions of VRET spread out over 3 weeks. They were exposed to four different virtual environments representing typical audiences for musicians. The findings indicate a significant decrease in MPA between sessions. They also indicate a significant increase in performance quality within sessions and a positive correlation between absorption ability and level of anxiety at the beginning of the VRET. Further studies must be conducted to evaluate the generalizability potential of these results to real performance situations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

VRET:

Virtual reality exposure training

MPA:

Music performance anxiety

VR:

Virtual reality

References

  • Anderson P (2007) Usability and utility of a computerized cognitive-behavioral self-help program for public speaking anxiety. Cogn Behav Pract 14:198–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Appel SS (1974) Modifying solo performance anxiety in adult pianists. Columbia University, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Baños RM, Botella C, Garcia-Palacios A, Villa H, Perpiña C, Gallardo M (1999) Psychological variables and reality judgment in virtual environments: the roles of absorption and dissociation. Cyberpsychol Behav 2(2):143–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bissonnette J, Dubé F, Provencher MD, Moreno Sala MT (2015) Virtual reality exposure training for musicians: Its effect on performance anxiety and quality. Med Probl Perform Artist 30(3):169–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouchard S (2007) Efficacité d’un traitement d’exposition en réalité virtuelle pour le traitement de l’arachnophobie chez l’enfant une étude pilote. Journal de Thérapie Comportementale et Cognitive 17(3):101–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchard S, Robillard G, Paquin B, St-Jaques J (2003) Programme cognitivo-comportemental pour le traitement de la phobie spécifique via l’exposition en réalité virtuelle: Manuel du thérapeute. Laboratoire de Cyberpsychologie de l’UQO, Gatineau

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen J (1988) Statistical power analysis for behavioral sciences, 2nd edn. L Erlbaum associates, Hillsdale, NJ

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Crawford CR (2011) Effects of exposure to virtual audience environments on performing musicians. McGill University, Montreal

    Google Scholar 

  • Deacon BJ, Abramovitz A (2004) Cognitive and behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders: a review of meta-analytic findings. J Clin Psychol 60(4):429–441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emmelkamp PM (2003) Behavior therapy with adults. In: Lambert M (ed) Handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change, 5th edn. Wiley, New York, pp 393–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Foa EB, Kozak MJ (1986) Emotional processing of fear: exposure to corrective information. Psychol Bull 99(1):20–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foa EB, Huppert JD, Cahill SP (2006) Emotional processing theory: an update. In: Rothbaum BO (ed) Pathological anxiety. The Guilford Press, New York, pp 3–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris SR, Kemmerling RL, North MM (2002) Brief virtual reality therapy for public speaking anxiety. Cyberpsychol Behav 5(6):543–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes SA, Hope DA, Heimberg RG (2008) The pattern of subjective anxiety during in-session exposures over the course of cognitive-behavioral therapy for clients with social anxiety disorder. Behav Ther 39(3):286–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendrick MJ, Craig KD, Lawson DM, Davidson PO (1982) Cognitive and behavioral therapy for musical performance anxiety. J Consult Clin Psychol 50(3):353–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kenny DT (2011) The psychology of music performance anxiety. Oxford University Press, New York, p 365

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Klinger E, Bouchard S, Légeron P, Roy S, Lauer F, Chemin I, Nugues P (2005) Virtual reality therapy versus cognitive behavior therapy for social phobia: a preliminary controlled study. Cyberpsychol Behav 8(1):76–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kosslyn SM, Brunn J, Cave KR, Wallach RW (1984) Individual differences in mental imagery ability: a computational analysis. Cognition 18:195–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krijn M, Emmelkamp PMG, Olafsson RP, Biemond R (2004) Virtual reality exposure therapy of anxiety disorders: a review. Clin Psychol Rev 24:259–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang P (1971) The application of psychophysiological methods to the study of psychotherapy and behaviour modification. In: Bergin A, Garfield S (eds) Handbook of psychotherapy and behaviour change. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • McGinnis AM, Milling LS (2005) Psychological treatment of musical performance anxiety: current status and future directions. Psychother Theory Res Pract Train 3(42):357–373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mystowski JL, Craske MG, Echiverri AM (2002) Treatment context and return of fear in spider phobia. Behav Ther 33:399–416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orman EK (2003) Effect of virtual reality graded exposure on heart rate and self-reported anxiety levels of performing saxophonists. J Res Music Educ 51(4):302–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orman EK (2004) Effect of virtual reality graded exposure on anxiety levels of performing musicians: a case study. J Music Ther 41(1):70–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parsons TD, Rizzo AA (2008) Affective outcomes of virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety and specific phobias: a meta-analysis. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 39(3):250–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powers MB, Emmelkamp PM (2008) Virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis. J Anxiety Disord 22(3):561–569

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robillard G, Bouchard S, Renaud P, Cournoyer LG (2002) Validation canadienne-française de deux mesures importantes en réalité virtuelle: L’immersive Tendencies Questionnaire et le Presence Questionnaire. In: 25e congrès annuel de la Société Québécoise pour la Recherche en Psychologie (SQRP), Trois-Rivières

  • Roy S, Klinger E, Légeron P, Lauer F, Chemin I, Nugues P (2003) Definition of a VR-based protocol to treat social phobia. Cyberpsychol Behav 6(4):411–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salmon PG (1990) A psychological perspective on musical performance anxiety: a review of the literature. Med Probl Perform Artist 5:2–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Steptoe A (2001) Negative emotions in music making: the problem of performance anxiety. In: Juslin PN, Sloboda JA (eds) Music and emotion: theory and research. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 291–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Tellegen A, Atkinson G (1974) Openness to absorbing and self-altering experiences (“absorption”): a trait related to hypnotic susceptibility. J Abnorm Psychol 83(3):268–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Kemenade JF, Van Son MJ, Van Heesch NC (1995) Performance anxiety among professional musicians in symphonic orchestras: a self-report study. Psychol Rep 77(2):555–562

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiederhold BK, Wiederhold MD (2005) Vitual reality therapy for anxiety disorders: advances in evaluation and treatment. American Psychological Association, Washington

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wolpe JD, Lazarus AA (1966) Behavioral therapy techniques: a guide to the treatment of neuroses. Pergamon Press. Inc, Elmsford

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the “Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la société et la culture,” the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and the Desjardins Foundation for their financial contribution to the realization of this study. We also thank the “Laboratoire de muséologie et d’ingénierie de la culture” for its material and financial contribution to the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Music, Laval University, Pavillon Louis-Jacques-Casault, 1055 Avenue du Séminaire, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada

    Josiane Bissonnette, Francis Dubé & Maria T. Moreno Sala

  2. School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada

    Martin D. Provencher

Authors
  1. Josiane Bissonnette
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francis Dubé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Martin D. Provencher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maria T. Moreno Sala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Josiane Bissonnette.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bissonnette, J., Dubé, F., Provencher, M.D. et al. Evolution of music performance anxiety and quality of performance during virtual reality exposure training. Virtual Reality 20, 71–81 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-016-0283-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-016-0283-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation