Singing teaching as a therapy for chronic respiratory disease--a randomised controlled trial and qualitative evaluation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

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

SUBMITTER: Lord VM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2920262 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature