A multicomponent biofeedback-informed programme reduces music performance anxiety in undergraduate music students a randomized controlled trial

Music performance anxiety (MPA) can affect the physiological, psychological, and behavioral functioning of music students. This randomized controlled trial evaluated a 12-week multicomponent programme integrating physiological monitoring, biofeedback, breathing regulation, virtual-reality exposure, cognitive restructuring, progressive performance practice, and teaching adaptation. A total of 120 undergraduate music students were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 60) or a control group (n = 60).

The prespecified primary analysis used analysis of covariance, with the post-intervention multidimensional total score as the outcome and the corresponding baseline score as a covariate. Adjusted post-intervention means were 69. 82 (SE = 0. 68) in the intervention group and 108. 14 (SE = 0. 68) in the control group; the adjusted between-group difference was − 38. 32 points (95% CI -40. 22 to -36. 42; P