Vocal and emotional aspects related to restriction of singing activities in amateur choralists

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the association between measures of voice handicap, symptoms of common mental health disorders and the restriction of singing activities that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic in amateur choristers. Methods This is a cross-sectional, analytical, descriptive and quantitative study. To collect data were used an initial characterization questionnaire, the Modern Singing Handicap Index (MSHI) protocol and the SRQ-20, an adaptation of the Self Reporting Questionnaire, all of which were made available online. The research sample consisted of 46 participants belonging to amateur choirs from two higher education institutions. Results The mean total score for the MSHI and SRQ-20 were high and were positively correlated with each other. There was no difference between the MSHI and SRQ-20 scores between individuals who self-reported Covid-19 infection or not. Individuals who stated that the answers offered in the survey were influenced by the social restrictions caused by the pandemic had higher scores than those who did not make this statement. There was no correlation with singing time and voice handicap and the presence of symptoms of mental health disorders, measured by the MSHI and SRQ-20, respectively. Choristers who maintained their singing activities individually or collectively showed less vocal and emotional damage. Conclusion Amateur choristers reported voice disadvantage and common mental health disorders possibly related to social restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The observed rates, however, do not seem to be associated with the virus infection itself, but with the limitations imposed by social restrictions during the pandemic period.