An Investigation of the Effect of Breathing Therapy on Music Students’ Flute Performance Anxiety

Abstract

This study examines the effect of breath therapy interventions on reducing stage performance-related anxiety in professionally trained flute musicians. The study was conducted using a pretest-posttest control group design. A total of 20 sighted flute students from Marmara University and Kocaeli University comprised 10 experimental groups and 10 control groups. The experimental group completed 10 weeks of breathing exercises planned by an expert in the field. Data were collected using the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory and a form that included individual health data, and were analyzed using integrated analyses. Findings indicated that prior breath therapy experience was associated with widespread high performance anxiety, and that the prevalence of the interventions significantly decreased after the intervention. No significant change was observed in the control groups. In conclusion, breath therapy stands out as an effective method for reducing anxiety related to musical performance.