It's said that singing heals the soul. What if it actively helped people with respiratory disease?
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Monash University researchers are recruiting people with two common and incurable chronic lung diseases for a two-year trial to see whether online group singing improves their condition.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by airflow limitation, persisting respiratory symptoms, and progressive respiratory failure. In Australia, it represents 43 per cent of all chronic respiratory disease burden, affecting 30 per cent of people aged over 75.
With more than 72,000 admissions each year attributable to COPD, it is the third-leading cause of avoidable hospitalisation.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is an umbrella term which captures a large group of diseases resulting in fibrosis of the lungs that often generate distressing, progressive symptoms, and account for a further 8 per cent of chronic respiratory disease in Australia.
The trial is being led by Associate Professor Natasha Smallwood, head of the Chronic Respiratory Disease laboratory at Monash University's Central Clinical School,
Associate Professor Smallwood said pulmonary rehabilitation, which includes exercise, breath training, psychosocial counselling and patient education, has been shown to improve symptoms and function, and reduce hospitalisations.
"Despite these benefits, of the nearly 1.5 million older Australians living with symptomatic COPD, fewer than 10 per cent have ever accessed a program," she said.
"Singing can be delivered as a guided, weekly, group-based activity, emphasising focus and control of breathing for patients with COPD and ILD."
Online singing gained traction during COVID lockdowns when the risk of aerosol spread of the virus led to the banning of choirs.
"Online delivery of singing represents an attractive opportunity to improve healthcare access for participants with limited mobility, poor health, or who live in a rural location with limited access to health services," the researchers said.
The SingINg For breathing in COPD aNd ILD pAtients (SINFONIA) trial is a phase II/III trial of guided, online group singing that will be conducted over 24 months.
Data will be collected on quality of life, anxiety and depression, breathlessness, mastery of breathing, exercise tolerance, loneliness, healthcare utilisation, and carer quality of life (optional).
To find out more about taking part, click HERE
