An investigation of the hypnotic treatment of music performance anxiety

This study examines the effectiveness of an individualized hypnotic treatment for music performance anxiety. The subjects were seven undergraduate and graduate piano students, A multiple baseline single subject design was used, with each subject being assigned to one of three treatment schedules. Each schedule included a baseline period, a period of hypnotic relaxation training, the individualized hypnotic treatment, and a follow-up period of no treatment. Two of the three schedules also included an educational treatment, and one included a period of training in self-hypnosis. Several assessment instruments were used in formulating individual treatment strategies. These included the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style, and the Object Relations Technique.

Dependent measures included a state anxiety self-report measure and faculty ratings of behavioral signs of anxiety and performance quality. These were recorded during performances scheduled at the beginning of the study and after each period of treatment. Responses to treatments were also solicited from subjects informally in cases studied. Comparison of mean self-reported anxiety following relaxation training with anxiety reported following baseline and educational periods revealed significant reductions.

Comparison of mean self-reported anxiety following individualized hypnotic treatment with mean post-relaxation anxiety revealed further significant reductions. At follow-up, anxiety levels remained significantly lower than baseline levels. Support was provided for these results by faculty ratings of anxiety. No effects on performance quality were found.

Finally, comparison of mean scores on the Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style with published norms for music students provided support for a view of performance anxiety as symptomatic of a general concern with self-control. It was hypothesized that enhancement of confidence in one's powers of control is a major ingredient of effective hypnotic treatment.