Autonomic cardiac modulation measured with a noninvasive device during psychophysiological preparation predicts flow state during piano performance: A Pilot Study (Preprint)
Authors: Jha Shreya , Stogios Nicolette , Sarmento de Oliveira Adriana , Thomas Scott , Nolan Robert 
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a common experience among elite and professional musicians and impedes performers from achieving flow state, or a state of focused, sustained attention and engagement in one’s task. Use of non-invasive monitoring devices to understand the autonomic components of flow state can provide knowledge to better treat MPA. The aim of this study was to use non-invasive monitoring of heart rate variability (HRV) as a physiologic indicator of autonomic-cardiac activity and its association with peak flow.

OBJECTIVE

We recruited individuals between the ages of 15 and 22 years who had at least a Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Grade 8 piano certification. Participants were asked to prepare three pieces: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C Major, Erik Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1, and a piece of their choice (Bach, Satie and a song of their own choosing). Performer heart rate data were measured with a Polar 800 watch in 5-minute periods immediately before performances, during performances and post-performance. HRV indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation of the heart were analyzed in 2.5-minute segments to monitor short-term autonomic adjustments using the Kubios HRV Software. Flow state was measured using the 36-item Flow State Scale (FSS).

METHODS

Our sample consisted of 22 RCM Grade 8 certified pianists (9 female, 13 male, age =20 + 1.6) The highest level of flow was observed for the Bach performance (3.87/5). Decreased HRV was observed during the performance of the piece, as indicated by a significant drop in total power (54% reduction) (p < 0.0001). This indicated a shift in increased sympathetic activity or vagal withdrawal. Flow state during the pre-performance phase was independently and positively associated with parasympathetic activity (β = 0.84, p=0.013), and during performance it was inversely associated with sympathetic activity (β = -0.79, p=0.04)

RESULTS

Our sample consisted of 22 RCM Grade 8 certified pianists (9 female, 13 male, age =20 + 1.6) The highest level of flow was observed for the Bach performance (3.87/5). Decreased HRV was observed during the performance of the piece, as indicated by a significant drop in total power (54% reduction) (p < 0.0001). This indicated a shift in increased sympathetic activity or vagal withdrawal. Flow state during the pre-performance phase was independently and positively associated with parasympathetic activity (β = 0.84, p=0.013), and during performance it was inversely associated with sympathetic activity (β = -0.79, p=0.04)

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that non-invasive monitoring of autonomic-cardiac modulation can provide novel insight into time-sensitive changes in the physiologic activity that is associated with psychological flow state. Evidence of increased parasympathetic activity and reduced sympathetic activity in the pre-performance phase suggests that flow state may be as much a consequence of physiological preparation immediately prior to performance as it is a physiologic response during the performance itself. Evidence of this correlation between autonomic modulation of the heart and achievement of flow state may pave the way for further research on enhancing musical performance and targeting MPA through HRV-based interventions. Future directions may involve investigation of other physiological manifestations in order to identify essential physiologic components of flow state, which may include such as facial or skeletal muscle activation, electrodermal activation and distinct patterns of neurological response via electroencephalography measurements.