Nicole Marquis, PT, PhD • Louise Drouin, PhD | Université de Sherbrooke
Pulmonary diseases are becoming the third leading cause of death worldwide, and their symptoms pose a range of challenges for those living with them. Breathlessness, respiratory infections and fatigue affect pulmonary function and in turn, daily living activities. Other associated health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and sometimes cognitive decline, can also impact communication and social inclusion. In the context of an aging population, effective interventions to alleviate these symptoms are essential.
This study aimed to build understanding of the potential for group singing as an effective intervention by: 1) Documenting participants’ experiences in a hybrid choral singing program, delivered in partnership with a community organization; 2) Examining the program’s effects on lung health, functional capacity, cognition, wellbeing, communication and social inclusion, including whether the format of participation (in-person vs. virtual) had an impact on these effects.
Using a mixed-method non-inferiority design, with a non-probability convenience sampling to describe the feasibility and effects of a hybrid group- singing program for people with pulmonary diseases. We propose a group singing in-person at the same time as a group singing online program for older adults with respiratory disease.
Beneficial effects of lung capacity in terms of voice (A) and exhalation duration (S and counting numbers), attendance, quality of life, inclusion, enthusiasm, confidence, reduced discomfort and satisfaction.
Our choir program was offered in hybrid mode with face-to-face participants including an online group at the same time on a weekly basis to better meet the needs of an often isolated population. A choral singing intervention could be then an alternative or a complement to pulmonary rehabilitation or could be a way of maintaining quality of life and social participation.
Conference presentations:
Ⓒ 2020-2024, The SingWell Project