DMA, University of Cincinnati, 2024, College-Conservatory of Music: Clarinet

While it is common for collegiate music departments in the U.S. to provide an elective course on a single mind-body awareness approach, most have not fully integrated these types of practices into the standard music performance training. Instead, curricula typically focus on developing technical proficiency on an instrument. The lack of training in performance itself suggests to students that performing is a natural ability, leaving many skilled musicians unprepared to perform at their best. Many musicians struggle with Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) or other forms of physical and/or mental distress during performance and the lack of training in how to deal with these common issues encourages them to cope in potentially harmful ways. Much of the existing literature on mind-body awareness in music performance focuses narrowly on theoretical studies or a specific instrument. In this paper, I examine Alexander Technique, Body Mapping, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in order to provide educators with concrete ways to incorporate mind-body awareness into their curricula and thereby help their students achieve peak performance. By surveying the fundamental concepts of these subjects, adapting approaches from these subjects to suit music performance, and analyzing existing curricula that utilizes mind-body awareness techniques, I argue incorporating mind-body awareness into the coursework of average performance majors is essential to their development as performers. This research will allow teachers and universities to reconsider their curricula and provide students with techniques to practice and perform in healthy, sustainable, and comfortable ways.

Committee: L. Brett Scott D.M.A. (Committee Chair); Barbara Walker Ph.D. (Committee Member); Quinn Patrick Ankrum (Committee Member) Subjects: Music

Bachelor of Science (BS), Ohio University, 2024, Translational Health

Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in active populations, which can develop into chronic ankle instability (CAI), a condition with uncertain etiology and symptoms that include poor dynamic balance performance. There are biomechanical and psychophysiological components of CAI, indicating that both the body and mind may impact the development and persistence of CAI. Hence, integrative therapies like hypnosis could help with the restoration of functional performance. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between interoceptive awareness and (1a) self-reported ankle instability and (1b) single-limb dynamic balance performance, (2a) kinesiophobia and emotional distress-anxiety with heart rate variability (HRV), and (2b) kinesiophobia and pain self-efficacy with single-limb dynamic balance. In addition, we assessed (3) the impact of a brief hypnosis practice on single-limb dynamic balance. Methods: Twenty-four participants from Ohio University and local community were recruited to participate in this basic experimental study with a randomized crossover design. Participants received an educational video discussing ankle disability and rehabilitation strategies (Ankle Ed) and an audio guided hypnosis (Hypnos) with a 3-day washout period between interventions. Participants were screened for CAI using 2 self-report ankle physical function outcomes - the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI) and Functional Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Eligible participants completed 5 additional self-report outcomes for interoceptive awareness (2 self-reports), self-efficacy, emotional distress-anxiety, and kinesiophobia. Baseline resting heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded for each of the 2 lab sessions. Single-limb dynamic balance was assessed with the stability indices derived from the Biodex Stability System (BSS) and Y-Balance Test (YBT) pre- and post-Ankle Ed and Hypnos interventions. Results: No significant relationship exi (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Cheryl Howe (Advisor); Nicholas Karayannis (Advisor) Subjects: Alternative Medicine; Health Sciences; Kinesiology; Physical Therapy; Psychology