COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Singing teaching as a therapy for chronic respiratory disease - a randomised controlled trial and qualitative evaluation
Despite optimal pharmacological therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation, patients with COPD continue to be breathless. There is a need to develop additional strategies to alleviate symptoms.
Learning to sing requires control of breathing and posture and might have benefits that translate into daily life.
Methods: To test this hypothesis we performed a randomised controlled trial, comparing a six week course of twice weekly singing classes to usual care, in 28 COPD patients. The experience of singing was assessed in a qualitative fashion, through interviews with a psychologist.
In addition, we surveyed patients with chronic respiratory conditions who participated in a series of open singing workshops.
Results: In the RCT, the physical component score of the SF36 improved in the singers (n=15) compared to the controls (n=13); +7.5(14.6) vs. -3.8(8.4) p=0.02.
Singers also had a significant fall in HAD anxiety score; -1.1(2.7) vs. +0.8(1.7) p=0.03.
Singing did not improve single breath counting, breath hold time or shuttle walk distance. In the qualitative element, 8 patients from the singing group were interviewed.
Positive effects on physical sensation, general well-being, community/social support and achievement/efficacy emerged as common themes. 150 participants in open workshops completed a questionnaire.
96% rated the workshops as "very enjoyable"and 98% thought the workshop had taught them something about breathing in a different way. 81% of attendees felt a "marked physical difference"after the workshop.
Conclusion: Singing classes can improve quality of life measures and anxiety and are viewed as a very positive experience by patients with respiratory disease; no adverse consequences of participation were observed.Trial RegistrationCurrent Controlled Trials - ISRCTN17544114.
BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2010,
I know many on the site love to sing, thought you might find this study interesting.
Lets all get to singing, its a good thing, a cheerful thing!
Hugs and Love to all,
always,
Holly
Despite optimal pharmacological therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation, patients with COPD continue to be breathless. There is a need to develop additional strategies to alleviate symptoms.
Learning to sing requires control of breathing and posture and might have benefits that translate into daily life.
Methods: To test this hypothesis we performed a randomised controlled trial, comparing a six week course of twice weekly singing classes to usual care, in 28 COPD patients. The experience of singing was assessed in a qualitative fashion, through interviews with a psychologist.
In addition, we surveyed patients with chronic respiratory conditions who participated in a series of open singing workshops.
Results: In the RCT, the physical component score of the SF36 improved in the singers (n=15) compared to the controls (n=13); +7.5(14.6) vs. -3.8(8.4) p=0.02.
Singers also had a significant fall in HAD anxiety score; -1.1(2.7) vs. +0.8(1.7) p=0.03.
Singing did not improve single breath counting, breath hold time or shuttle walk distance. In the qualitative element, 8 patients from the singing group were interviewed.
Positive effects on physical sensation, general well-being, community/social support and achievement/efficacy emerged as common themes. 150 participants in open workshops completed a questionnaire.
96% rated the workshops as "very enjoyable"and 98% thought the workshop had taught them something about breathing in a different way. 81% of attendees felt a "marked physical difference"after the workshop.
Conclusion: Singing classes can improve quality of life measures and anxiety and are viewed as a very positive experience by patients with respiratory disease; no adverse consequences of participation were observed.Trial RegistrationCurrent Controlled Trials - ISRCTN17544114.
BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2010,
I know many on the site love to sing, thought you might find this study interesting.
Lets all get to singing, its a good thing, a cheerful thing!
Hugs and Love to all,
always,
Holly
I love to sing,
I think we all do and this is a good reminder for us to not just listen to the music but to join in,
even if our voices aren't the greatest, singing makes us feel good.
I have been sick these past few days but today I am happy and feel like singing:) I hope you do too:)
Love to all of you, each and every one,
Always, Holly
I'm not as certain about that as they are, but nonetheless, there is a difference in my breathing when I sing vs my usual breathing when not singing. Good article, Holly.
.........."Despite optimal pharmacological therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation, patients with COPD continue to be breathless. There is a need to develop additional strategies to alleviate symptoms".........
For those of us that experience extreme hoarsness, it is probably more that any of the medications as doctors suggest. I feel strongly that the way a COPD patient gradually changes their breathing patterns, the voice pattern also changes.
A speech therapist suggested that I sing as often as I could and try to retrain my breathing to match the voice pattern. It is a challenge but so far it hasn't helped me much.