Group singing to improve communication and wellbeing for persons with aphasia or Parkinson's disease

RESEARCH TEAM

Jessica D. Richardson, PhD | University of New Mexico

BACKGROUND

Communication disorders (CDs), such as aphasia and dysarthria resulting from Parkinson’s disease, can significantly hinder individuals’ abilities to express their thoughts and feelings. This can make everyday interactions—such as discussing important topics, participating in worship, or simply chatting with friends and family—challenging. Consequently, many individuals with CDs experience social isolation, which can exacerbate the challenges they face. Accessing essential community resources for nutrition, healthcare, and learning opportunities becomes difficult, further diminishing their overall wellbeing.

While group singing interventions are emerging as a promising method to 
enhance communication and social interaction, more scientific evidence is needed to establish their effectiveness for healthcare professionals and communities. This study aimed to contribute to this growing evidence base by evaluating the impact of a 12-week group singing intervention on communication and social wellbeing for individuals with shared communication disorders.

METHODS

This study will establish two singing groups: one for individuals with aphasia (PWAs) and another for those with communication difficulties due to Parkinson’s disease (PCD-PDs), each with 20 participants. Eligible individuals must be at least 21 years old, proficient in English, and able to give informed consent. PWAs must have a confirmed aphasia diagnosis, while PCD-PDs should show signs of dysarthria or word-finding issues.

The study will follow a 20-week framework from SingWell, including 12 weeks of 90-minute weekly singing sessions and homework tasks. To explore different homework experiences, half of each group will use traditional lyric sheets, and the other half will use a musical app, which simplifies music for those without musical training. We will 
analyze the results using a repeated measures ANOVA to identify any significant changes over time.

RESULTS

This study is currently in progress. Use the box below to sign up for our newsletter to hear about research updates and activities as we announce them!
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