Singing for Lung Health: a qualitative assessment of a British Lung Foundation programme for group leaders

Singing for Lung Health (SLH) is a novel intervention for individuals with respiratory disease. Qualitative results have been positive for benefits to physical, mental and emotional health. Limited existing data suggest objective improvements in measures of quality of life with SLH are also achievable. Researchers investigated whether SLH groups supported by the British Lung Foundation (BLF) in the UK provide clinical benefit for individuals with respiratory disease. The BLF conducted a questionnaire survey of 171 singers with respiratory disease from its SLH groups in 2016-2017. Questionnaires were administered prior to participants’ first session of singing and at 12 weeks following singing. There were significant improvements in CAT score (Mean -1.2 CI: 0.16-2.54 (P: 0.027)) PAM score: Median 2.5 (P: 0.049) and EQ VAS: Median 5 (P: 0.023) Furthermore, there were significant reductions in GP visits (P: 0.0009) and hospital admissions (P: 0.049). This evaluation found that participants in singing for lung health groups report improvement in health-related quality of life and a reduction in healthcare utilisation. This suggests that these endpoints should be evaluated further in randomised control trials