Journal Article

Singing classes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial

Smith, Cayley, Waldman, Maya, Cave, Phoene, Man, William D-C, Hopkinson, Nicholas S, Sanchez, Melissa, Hume, Victoria J, Silver, Judith, Tanner, Rebecca, White, Chris, Polkey, Michael I, Lord, Victoria M, Kelly, Julia L

2012

Overview

Background There is some evidence that singing lessons may be of benefit to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not clear how much of this benefit is specific to singing and how much relates to the classes being a group activity that addresses social isolation. Methods Patients were randomised to either singing classes or a film club for eight weeks. Response was assessed quantitatively through health status questionnaires, measures of breathing control, exercise capacity and physical activity and qualitatively, through structured interviews with a clinical psychologist. Results The singing group (n=13 mean(SD) FEV 1 44.4(14.4)% predicted) and film group (n=11 FEV 1 63.5(25.5)%predicted) did not differ significantly at baseline. There was a significant difference between the response of the physical component score of the SF-36, favouring the singing group +12.9(19.0) vs -0.25(11.9) (p=0.02), but no difference in response of the mental component score of the SF-36, breathing control measures, exercise capacity or daily physical activity. In the qualitative element, positive effects on physical well-being were reported in the singing group but not the film group. Conclusion Singing classes have an impact on health status distinct from that achieved simply by taking part in a group activity. Trials registration Registration Current Controlled Trials - ISRCTN17544114

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Aged / Biomedical research / Care and treatment / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / Clinical trials / COPD / Critical Care Medicine / Disease / Exercise / Exercise Tolerance - physiology / Health aspects / Health Status / Health surveys / Humans / Intensive / Internal Medicine / Lung diseases, Obstructive / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Middle Aged / Motion Pictures / Motor Activity - physiology / Older people / Patient outcomes / Physical fitness / Pneumology/Respiratory System / Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - physiopathology / Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - psychology / Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - therapy / Pulmonology / Qualitative / Randomised controlled trial / Rehabilitation / Research Article / Respiratory Mechanics - physiology / Singing / Singing - physiology / Social interaction / Surveys and Questionnaires / Treatment Outcome