The healing power of a shared song
A research-led project to run and evaluate the value of regular singing groups in helping local people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to manage their condition better.
Singing for Better Breathing is a study to explore the value of group singing in promoting wellbeing for people in Lambeth and Southwark with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a name that describes a number of conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The project builds upon an earlier feasibility study in East Kent which demonstrated positive health and wellbeing outcomes for people with COPD who participated in community singing. The new project in South London is assessing whether the successes of the East Kent initiative can be replicated in an urban area with a very different demographic and cultural profile.
Singing for Better Breathing is also undertaking the first analysis of the cost-effectiveness of singing to help manage COPD from the perspective of the NHS and social care services.
https://www.gsttcharity.org.uk/what-we-do/our-impact/stories/singing-better-breathing
Interesting links:
artlink at Oxford University Hospitals has created BREATHe,a new piece of music theatre through research in the Respiratory Medicine department at the Churchill hospital and dialogue with doctors, patients, scientists and Oxford University academics:
http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/artlink/breath/
