Conceptualizing how group singing may enhance quality of life with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

In people with PD, this continuity of flow is hypothesized to be conducive to rhythmic entrainment during and after group singing and in turn to reduced deficits in motor timing and emotional processing, and improvements in quality of life. Empirical studies are needed to test this hypothesis in people with movement disorders such as PD. Implications for Rehabilitation Musical rhythm in group singing may enhance quality of life, and rehabilitation, in people with PD. Use group singing to produce two socio-psychological states - connectedness and flow - that may yield these health benefits. Include people with PD in singing groups to facilitate perceptual exposure to familiar music with melodic distinctiveness and a regular beat.

Choral singing therapy following stroke or Parkinson’s disease: an exploration of participants’ experiences

“…It was experienced while listening to music and singing [92] but also following choir participation, which may be generated by hormonal and related immune changes [18,48]. This is consistent with literature on music therapy for stroke [35,37], along with a similar study involving choral singing solely for people with aphasia [34].…”

“…Participants described how they watched the choir leader for cues, and used group flow and rhythm to entrain to melody and words; similar to other therapies suggested for Broca's aphasia and dysarthria [95,96]. This lends support for rhythm as a therapeutic agent in music [18,97], rhythmic cueing for word production in song [36], and the benefits of singing in synchrony with an auditory model (provided by the choir and choir leader) [98]. While the descriptions varied, some people with aphasia described how confidence, fluency, and vocabulary in conversation had improved since participating in CST.…”

“…Small-scale singing studies with stroke survivors show improved mood [34,35], QOL [36], neuroplasticity [37], and word production [36,38]. Choral singing may also prevent voice decline [39] and improve QOL in PD [18]. Small-scale choral studies with PD have shown improvements in QOL [40], speech intelligibility [41], breath control, and prosody [42].…”

“…We selected a mixed population to enable community group interaction facilitated by therapist support, based on recommendations from Community Music Therapy [51]. In CST, people with different neurological conditions are supported to sing alongside their significant others to facilitate a community focus [52], maximising use of therapist time [53], and possibly enhancing participation, connectedness and creative flow [18,54]. As part of a project investigating the feasibility of CST, we conducted a qualitative evaluation of factors influencing participation in CST, and experiences of taking part in CST, among people with stroke and PD living in the community.…”

“…Improvements in communication abilities could slow this reduction in QOL and help people with chronic symptoms of stroke or PD to participate meaningfully in society [17][18][19].…”