The Breath project (Project Number: 2022-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000089283) has been Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author or authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. Neither the European Union nor the entity providing the grant can be held responsible for them.
Use of Singing for Lung Health as an alternative training modality within pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD: a randomised controlled trial
Institution
11 community PR services distributed across Denmark
Institution Typology
Public Institution
Country
Denmark
Description
The singing included vocal, physical and breathing exercises with the aim of strengthening, expanding and improving the flexibility of the respiratory muscles. Of the 270 COPD patients, 195 took part in the study. The participants were divided into two groups: one for the singing and the other for the physical training. The local community PR service provided both study groups with a 10-week PR course consisting of either physical fitness training or singing classes twice a week, for a total of 20 sessions. the 90-minute sessions also included one-on-one counseling and support. In addition, as part of the PR, both study groups attended identical education sessions once a week, covering topics such as lifestyle changes, managing illness, coping strategies, smoking cessation, inhaler use and dyspnea control.
Innovation
Singing is thought to help patients with respiratory diseases manage their dyspnea, improve their quality of life and well-being, and lessen their social isolation if they have COPD. Although singing has not been validated in relation to the main outcomes of PR ( primary study outcome was change in exercise capacity from baseline to follow-up measured as change in 6-min walk distance (6MWD)), the results confirm that singing produces positive and clinically relevant physiological and psychological changes in COPD patients
Evaluation System
At baseline, participants were assessed using objective tests and completed patient-reported questionnaires and data sheets on socio-demographic information, medication usage and expectations towards the benefits of singing. All assessments were repeated at follow-up. One designated study nurse performed all the objective assessments and collected all data from all sites within 2 weeks before the onset of PR and again within 2 weeks after programme termination.
Assessment
Singing is thought to help patients with respiratory diseases manage their dyspnea, improve their quality of life and well-being, and lessen their social isolation if they have COPD. Although singing has not been validated in relation to the main outcomes of PR ( primary study outcome was change in exercise capacity from baseline to follow-up measured as change in 6-min walk distance (6MWD)), the results confirm that singing produces positive and clinically relevant physiological and psychological changes in COPD patients
References
Kaasgaard, M., Rasmussen, D. B., Andreasson, K. H., Hilberg, O., Løkke, A., Vuust, P., & Bodtger, U. (2022). Use of Singing for Lung Health as an alternative training modality within pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD: a randomised controlled trial. The European respiratory journal, 59(5), 2101142. doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01142-2021" target="_blank">doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01142-2021
