Respiratory and Anxiety Status of Music Students

Dysfunctional breathing (DB) represents a spectrum of maladaptive respiratory patterns that cannot be explained by an underlying medical condition. It may involve biomechanical, biochemical, or psychophysiological components, including abnormal breathing mechanics, altered carbon dioxide regulation, and stress-related breathing irregularities. Previous research has suggested that DB can exacerbate symptoms in conditions such as asthma, migraine, orofacial pain, and temporomandibular disorders. Music performance anxiety (MPA), a common issue among music students and professional musicians, manifests through both psychological and physiological symptoms. Among these, respiratory complaints such as dyspnea, breath-holding, or hyperventilation are frequently reported. Despite this, the potential overlap between DB and MPA has not been adequately investigated. This cross-sectional study will assess 233 music students using validated self-report questionnaires to evaluate dysfunctional breathing patterns and levels of music performance anxiety. The study seeks to identify the prevalence of DB in this population and to explore possible associations between breathing dysfunction and anxiety related to musical performance. Findings may contribute to a better understanding of respiratory-related mechanisms underlying performance anxiety and inform preventive or therapeutic strategies for musicians.