News
Singing helps COPD patients improve shortness of breath and fatigue, Illinois researchers report
VANCOUVER, BC — Daily singing exercises reduce dyspnea (shortness of breath) and improve energy levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to research presented here at CHEST 2010, the American College of Chest Physicians Annual Meeting.
The patients reported less shortness of breath and less fatigue.
Dyspnea can be quite debilitating and can prevent patients from taking part in normal daily activities. There are no available medications to counter the long-term decline in lung function in COPD, but patients sometimes use pursed-lip breathing to improve symptoms.
Singing requires precise control of pulmonary muscles. Researchers at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine conducted a study to determine if singing exercises could improve pulmonary function and quality of life.
The subjects had COPD, were in phase 3 pulmonary rehabilitation, and had no other respiratory diseases. They were given a singing pamphlet describing breathing and vocal warm-ups, and then sang a song to complete the 5-minute exercise, which was done once in the morning and once in the evening.
