Jennifer J. Nicol

Therapeutic Singing as an Adjunct for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Participants With COPD: Outcomes of a Feasibility Study

In spite of optimized medical management, many individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experi- ence distressing and disabling symptoms such as breathlessness and poor quality of life. Novel interventions, such as therapeutic singing, hold promise of ameliorating these inhibiting symptoms. This feasibility study compared the outcomes of an 8-week therapeutic singing program conducted by an accredited music therapist for 14 individuals with advanced COPD who attended a pulmonary rehabilitation program targeted to address symptoms with 5 individuals receiving usual care. While the program was enthusiastically and positively endorsed by participants, we did not find improvements in health-related quality of life, exercise capacity, or perceptions of illness for participants in the singing program compared to those receiving usual care. Further studies on optimal duration and intensity of therapeutic singing programs, as well as evaluation of psychological and quality of life specif- ically related to social interaction, are needed to build the evidence-based practices related to such programs. Keywords

Body, time, space and relationship in the music listening experiences of women with chronic illness:

The meanings and experience of everyday music listening for women living with chronic physical illness were investigated. Multiple, in-depth interviews with six women, living with a diagnosed illness and identifying music listening as important in their life, provided a primary source of data. Analysis included a guided existential reflection and engagement in phenomenological writing. A key finding was the suggestion that to listen to music was to be in the company of a long-time companion who ultimately aided in coping with the unanticipated arrival of chronic illness. Further findings identified music listening as strongly embodied, ‘timeless’, ‘time-full’, ‘timetabled’, ‘time-encored’, and spatially freeing and comforting, which had positive experiential meanings in terms of living with chronic illness. These findings reveal something new about the phenomenon of listening to music in a particular context and invite further phenomenological inquiry, as well as investigation of music listening as a social process and the body’s role in identifying the ‘right’ music.

Singing for respiratory health: theory, evidence and challenges

The premise that singing is a health promoting activity for people with respiratory conditions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma is a growing area of interest being investigated by researchers from various disciplines. The preliminary evidence, a theoretical framework and identification of methodological challenges are discussed in this perspective article with an eye to recommendations for further research to advance knowledge. After a brief summary of main research findings on singing in healthy people to provide background context, research is reviewed on singing in people with COPD and asthma. Studies include published research and as yet unpublished work by the authors. Methodological challenges arising from the reviewed studies are identified such as attrition from singing or control groups based on weak and strong, respectively, beliefs about singings effectiveness. Potential solutions for these problems are considered with further recommendations made for other singing research.