Summary: Researchers have published evidence that singing can have beneficial effects for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Source: University of Aberdeen.
There is strong evidence that singing benefits the speech of people with Parkinson’s disease, but more research needs to be carried out into the area, according to a review of studies led by researchers at the University of Aberdeen.
In collaboration with clinicians at Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospital and St Helier Hospital in London, the team conducted a systematic review of published evidence regarding the beneficial effects of singing for people with Parkinson’s. The results have been published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease.
They found that most studies supported the idea that singing helps the speech of people with Parkinson’s. They also found that more studies are required to assess whether this benefit can lead to functional communication as opposed to just physical speech features in people with Parkinson’s disease.
They also concluded that a more thorough assessment needed to be carried out with regard to the impact on quality of life.
Lead researcher Dr Maxwell Barnish noted that, “this is a promising field, but one that requires more research if the maximum benefit is going to be harnessed”.
Parkinson’s and existing therapies
Parkinson’s disease is a common, age-related neurodegenerative condition that affects over 120,000 people in the UK and continues to become more common. Treatment has traditionally focused on drugs. These have improved movement, but have had little impact on many other symptoms of Parkinson’s and often have serious side effects.
Allied health services such as speech and language therapy may be beneficial, although evidence for many current techniques is not particularly strong.
In recent years, there has been interest in how performing arts, including singing, may be beneficial for people with conditions such as Parkinson’s. Choirs for people with neurological conditions can now be found in many locations.
Singing provides great benefit to many people regardless of their health status. These benefits may be psychosocial as well as physical.
Systematic Review
The review aims to serve two purposes – to encourage further high-quality research into this area and to draw clinicians’ attention to the therapeutic possibilities that singing offers.
Dr Barnish adds: “Singing might be an approach that speech and language therapists wish to explore using as part of their therapy and healthcare providers might wish to develop further partnerships with community-based performing arts organisations. These partnerships already exist in some localities and the benefits for the people involved and society are clear to see.”
Sharing her personal experiences, investigator Susannah Barran from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where she is a speech and language therapist and conducts a choir, said: “Singing provides a vital bolster for our physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It’s something we do naturally, without even realising it, when we’re happy and it’s often infectious. Our voices are instruments we can carry with us everywhere, to share with others, or to sing on our own, and that’s empowering. Singing in groups can ‘break the ice’ – it helps us to feel a sense of belonging and feel less lonely.”
Investigator Rachel Atkinson, an adult neurological specialist speech and language therapist at St Helier Hospital in London, added: “You only have to turn on your TV to learn about the potential benefits of choirs for more than just the singing these days. This review is greatly beneficial in highlighting the need for further research in this area and exploring readily accessible community singing groups as a source of support and therapeutic benefit for people with Parkinson’s disease.
She adds: “This review reminds us as a profession to think outside the box and encourage community activities in addition to traditional clinic-based therapy to facilitate broader social activity and participation for our client groups.”
Source: Euan Wemyss – University of Aberdeen
Image Source: This NeuroscienceNews.com image is adapted from the University of Aberdeen press release.
Original Research Abstract “Potential Benefit of Singing for People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review” by Barnish, Jean; Atkinson, Rachel A.; Barran, Susannah M.; and Barnish, Maxwell S. in Journal of Parkinson’s Disease. Published online June 3 2016 doi:10.3233/JPD-160837
[cbtabs][cbtab title=”MLA”]University of Aberdeen. “Singing Could Improve Speech in Parkinson’s Patients: More Research Needed.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 3 June 2016.
<https://neurosciencenews.com/speech-parkinsons-neuroscience-4372/>.[/cbtab][cbtab title=”APA”]University of Aberdeen. (2016, June 3). Singing Could Improve Speech in Parkinson’s Patients: More Research Needed. NeuroscienceNews. Retrieved June 3, 2016 from https://neurosciencenews.com/speech-parkinsons-neuroscience-4372/[/cbtab][cbtab title=”Chicago”]University of Aberdeen. “Singing Could Improve Speech in Parkinson’s Patients: More Research Needed.” https://neurosciencenews.com/speech-parkinsons-neuroscience-4372/ (accessed June 3, 2016).[/cbtab][/cbtabs]
Abstract
Potential Benefit of Singing for People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Background: There is evidence that participation in performing arts brings psychosocial benefits in the general population and in recent years there has been substantial interest in the potential therapeutic benefit of performing arts, including singing, for people with chronic medical conditions including those of neurological aetiology.
Objective: To systematically review the existing body of evidence regarding the potential benefit of singing on clinical outcomes of people with PD.
Methods: Seven online bibliographic databases were systematically searched in January 2016 and supplementary searches were conducted. Full-text original peer-reviewed scientific papers that investigated the potential benefit of singing on at least one of speech, functional communication, cognitive status, motor function and quality of life in human participants with PD were eligible for inclusion.
Results: 449 unique records were identified, 25 full-text articles were screened and seven studies included in the review. All seven studies assessed the impact of singing on speech, five found partial evidence of benefit and two found no evidence of benefit. One study assessed each of functional communication and quality of life and no significant benefit was found. No included study assessed the impact of singing on motor function or cognitive status.
Conclusions: Singing may benefit the speech of people with PD, although evidence is not unequivocal. Further research is required to assess wider benefits including on functional communication, cognitive status, motor function and quality of life. Substantial methodological limitations were identified in the existing literature. Recommendations are made for advancing the state of the literature.
“Potential Benefit of Singing for People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review” by Barnish, Jean; Atkinson, Rachel A.; Barran, Susannah M.; and Barnish, Maxwell S. in Journal of Parkinson’s Disease. Published online June 3 2016 doi:10.3233/JPD-160837
