Can singing have a beneficial effect on lung function and breathing for people with respiratory illness?

A growing body of research demonstrates that regular group singing can have measurable benefits for mental and social wellbeing. The value of singing for physical wellbeing and health is less clear.

One promising line of inquiry has explored the value of singing for breathing, and particularly for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To date three controlled trials provide evidence of acceptability and enjoyment of singing by people with COPD and have shown improvements in self-reported health status, although little evidence of improvements in lung function and exercise capability. A recent community-based feasibility study suggests, however, that the interventions in earlier studies may have been too short for positive physical benefits to emerge.

Further, more robust community-based research on singing and respiratory illness is called for to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of singing as a treatment intervention.