Effects of Exposure in Computer-Assisted Virtual Environments on Vocalists ’ Performance Anxiety: A Quasi-Experimental Study

This study also explores how different attributes of virtual reality programs affect five experiential dimensions of vocalists’ music performance anxiety. A quasi-experimental (pre- and post-exposure) design study exposes eighteen adult professional vocalists and tho se training to become professional vocalists with previous public performance experience to virtual performance situations with varying attributes. The results demonstrate that exposure training in the virtual environment significantly reduces the participants’ music performance anxiety. The resul ts also demonstrate that different attributes of the programs affect the sensory, affective, cognitive, behavioral, and relational dimensions of the participants’ music performance anxiety differently. The insights the findings provide for the development of virtual reality exposure training progr ams and digital therapeutic applications for music performance anxiety and other types of anxiety and disorders are discussed.
Source: Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research