Sing-a-Lung: Does Singing for Lung Health provide physiological changes in COPD?

Background: Singing for Lung Health (SLH) has recently been found effective in improving Six-Minute Walking Test Distance (6MWD) and quality of life (St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ Total Score)) in an RCT within 10 weeks’ pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) [1]. Previous studies suggest that singing is beneficial for lung function, breathing control, and dyspnoea. However, the body-of-evidence is scarse with contradictory findings. Methods: Post-hoc analyses in per-protocol population, exploring physiological parameters in SLH: Lung function, inspiratory muscle strength and control, dyspnoea, and exercise-induced changes in pulse and saturation. Analyses: Baseline characteristics, stratified analyses, and logistic regression. Results: In total, 108 received SLH. Baseline caharcteristics in the SLH group were: Females: 56.5%; mean age 70.5 ±8.4 years; pack years 40.6 ±21.9; BMI: 28.3 ±5.8; and FEV1% predicted: 51.4 ±16.8. 31 (29%) achieved minimal important difference (MID) in 6MWD (≥30 m), which was associated with improved heart rate response (OR: 3.14; p=0.03). SGRQ MID (≥4 points) was achieved by 53 (49%) and was associated with improved maximal inspiratory pressure (OR: 4.35; p=0.04). We found no associations with spirometric changes. Conclusions: SLH seems to provide relevant physiological changes in COPD. Further studies are needed to confirm short-term and explore long-term findings. 1. Use of Singing for Lung Health as an alternative training modality within pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD: an RCT. M. Kaasgaard, D. Bech Rasmussen, K. Andreasson, A. Løkke, P. Vuust, O. Hilberg, U. Bødtger. European Respiratory Journal 2021. DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01142-2021 1 Use of Singing for Lung Health as an alternative training modality within pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD: an RCT. M. Kaasgaard, D. Bech Rasmussen, K. Andreasson, A. Løkke, P. Vuust, O. Hilberg, U. Bødtger. European Respiratory Journal 2021. DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01142-2021