The effect of choral singing on quality of life and lung function in cancer survivors and their carers

Gale, Nichola S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5207-9863, Lewis, Ian, Enright, Stephanie and Van Deursen, Robert William Martin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9461-0111 2010. The effect of choral singing on quality of life and lung function in cancer survivors and their carers. Presented at: National Cancer Research Institute Conference, Liverpool, November 2010.

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Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of cancer creates a wide range of social and emotional problems for patients, family members and friends1. Social support and group therapy has been shown to improve mood, anxiety, depression and quality of life (QoL)2. This study investigated the effects of choral singing on QoL and lung function in cancer survivors and their carers. Method: This mixed methods study included 30 individuals, mean (SD) age 60 (10) who participated in a community choir funded by the cancer charity Tenovus and run in conjunction with a training and motivation company. Quantitative questionnaires included the Short Form-36 quality of life (QoL) score and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD). Lung function and respiratory muscle strength was also assessed. Ten participants completed semi-structured interviews which were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore their experience of the choir. Results: After 3 months of choral singing 20 subjects repeated the assessments, several domains of QoL improved including vitality, social function and mental health (p<0.05) and there was a trend of reduced anxiety and depression. There was no change in lung function, although there was a trend of increased maximal expiratory pressure. Themes which emerged from the interviews were friendship, a focus for the future and participants felt uplifted and had greater confidence and self esteem. Conclusion: In this small study the community choir improved QoL, in cancer survivors and their carers in the short-term, despite no change in physiology. From the interviews; social interaction and a future focus emerged as themes which may facilitate improved QoL. A larger study is warranted to further explore these findings and to investigate long term effects.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	M Music and Books on Music > M Music R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RT Nursing
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2022 08:12
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/31276

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