Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of group therapuetic singing (GTS) on vocal and respiratory outcome measures compared to a waitlist control period, as well as a healthy older adult control group. Changes in cortisol were also explored.

Background: Research has revealed that GTS is an effective treatment strategy to improve respiratory control and muscle activity associated with swallow in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). GTS can also be enjoyable and offer a way to relieve stress, have fun, and improve other motor symptoms. Yet, most previous studies have not explored changes compared to a control period or control group.

Method: We hypothesize that both vocal and respiratory outcome measures will improve compared to the control period and control group and that the changes in these outcome measures will be related to changes in cortisol. Seventeen participants with PD completed 8 weeks of a waitlist control period, no GTS, followed by another 8 weeks of GTS once a week. Eleven healthy older adults were enrolled in the study for 16 weeks, but did not sing. Data collections were completed at baseline, 8 weeks and 16 weeks in both groups. Outcomes measures included vocal duration, vocal range, vocal intensity, maximum expiratory pressure, maximum inspiratory pressure, and salivary cortisol.

Results: Preliminary results reveal that both vocal and respiratory outcome measures were significantly lower in the participants with PD compared to the healthy controls at baseline and 8 weeks points. Cortisol was similar persons with PD compared to healthy controls at baseline and 8 weeks. There were no significant changes from baseline to 8 weeks in both groups. After 8 weeks of singing, the vocal and respiratory outcome measures in persons with PD approached values close to that of the health controls, showing a significant improvement after singing. Cortisol values decreased after 8 week of singing in persons with PD, while it increased in healthy older adults.

Conclusion: These results support and strengthen previous research demonstrating improvements in vocal and respiratory outcome measures after GTS in persons with PD. Adjuvant therapies such as GTS should be considered in the treatment of PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/group-therapeutic-singing-in-parkinsons-disease/