| Title: | “The Breath Factor”- a pilot study of singing for lung health as part of pulmonary rehabilitation |
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| Author(s): | E. Liston, K. Devenney, C. Gleeson, C.Gray, E. O’Shea |
| Institution: | St James's Hospital |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | Asthma and COPD |
| Abstract: | “Singing for Lung Health” (SLH) 1 when used as an adjunct to managing symptoms in chronic respiratory conditions has the potential to improve health related quality of life and anxiety. This pilot study sought to examine the effects of SLH incorporated into a local standard pulmonary rehabilitation programme (PRP). All participants attending an 8-week PRP between November and December 2019 were invited to partake in an optional once weekly 30-minute SLH session. It was conducted over 5 weeks immediately after their exercise training sessions. The SLH session was led by a physiotherapist with a musical background and comprised of warm- up/breath control exercises followed by well-known popular songs. A post intervention participant survey and focus group (n=11) were completed, facilitated by a physiotherapist not involved in the intervention. Thematic analysis of the results demonstrated improvements in mood, well-being, symptom control & confidence. The participants also reported the experience was fun, enjoyable and social. SLH has the potential to deliver health, psychological and social benefits to people with chronic respiratory conditions and preliminary data from this pilot study supports this. However robust research is required before it can be adopted as an intervention offered routinely to people with respiratory disease. |
