To investigate the relationships between respiratory patterns, anxiety, and cognitive function in bassoon players.
Approach:
Study Design: Cross-sectional study involving 118 bassoon players (48 professional, 70 amateur) who completed online questionnaires.
Data Collection: Participants filled out the Self-Evaluation of Breathing Questionnaire (SEBQ), Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory-Revised (K-MPAI-R), Attentional Control Scale (ACS), and self-rated performance measures.
Statistical Analysis: Pearson correlation analysis, hierarchical regression, and mediation analysis using bootstrapping were conducted.
Key Findings:
Dysfunctional breathing was positively associated with performance anxiety (r = 0.52, p < 0.001).
Dysfunctional breathing was negatively associated with attentional control (r = -0.39, p < 0.001).
Dysfunctional breathing explained 23.1% of variance in performance anxiety beyond demographic covariates.
Performance anxiety partially mediated the relationship between dysfunctional breathing and attentional control (indirect effect: 59.4%).
Professional players exhibited lower dysfunctional breathing scores and higher attentional control compared to amateur players.
Interpretation:
The findings support the application of Attentional Control Theory in wind instrument performance contexts and suggest that respiratory patterns may be a target for managing music performance anxiety.
Limitations:
Cross-sectional design limits causal inferences.
Sample size may not be representative of all bassoon players.
Conclusion:
Breathing-focused training may reduce anxiety and enhance cognitive function in bassoon players, though further longitudinal research is needed.
