Submission Date

5-4-2026

Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Department

Neuroscience

Second Department

Music

Adviser

Joel Bish

Second Adviser

Rosa Abrahams

Committee Member

Kyle Beyer

Department Chair

Carlita Favero

Department Chair

Rosa Abrahams

Project Description

Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) is the physiological and psychological symptoms that occur before, during, and after a performance. Post-performance rumination, a common symptom of MPA, includes constant and repetitive negative thinking about a performance which prolongs physiological symptoms, stunts cognitive growth, and can hinder future performances (Brosschot et al. 2005). This study investigates if cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce post-performance rumination in college-level students who have experienced music performance anxiety. To combat rumination, we introduce the therapeutic intervention of expressive writing, which encourages the participant to work through the situation and think about ways to improve their future performances (Watkins and Roberts 2020). Typically, this expressive writing technique has been used in experimental settings before events to reduce stress for performers, athletes, and public speakers (Tang et al. 2020). However, it is also a promising way to cope with traumatic experiences. We had participants complete several inventories, perform while being recorded, complete a writing activity, and watch the recording of themselves. While doing this, we recorded their heart rate with the BioPac Heart Rate Variability System to collect BPM, P-P, and HRV. Previous studies have shown that individuals with low heart-rate variability have higher levels of rumination (Woody, Burkhouse, Birk, & Gibb, 2015). Thus, by measuring heart-rate variability, we hope to better understand both anxiety fluctuation and potential for rumination while our participants complete the experimental protocol. Our findings suggest new ways to study performance anxiety as well as the possibility of expressive writing as a technique to reduce rumination.

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