Mapping the relationship between flow experience and music performance anxiety: a scoping review

Overall, the findings highlight a dynamic continuum between FE and MPA, suggesting that anxiety regulation is not merely inhibitory but can function as a potential precursor to flow. Despite substantial empirical work examining FE and MPA as individual constructs, the present synthesis demonstrates that an integrated understanding of their interaction remains methodologically fragmented. Future research should therefore prioritize multimodal and longitudinal designs to clarify underlying mechanisms and support the development of evidence-informed approaches to performance preparation and emotional regulation in musicians.