Singing for children and adults with bronchiectasis

Abstract

Background Bronchiectasis is a common respiratory disease, especially in developing countries. Its cause varies from chronic infection to rare immune deficiencies. Bronchiectasis can be present with other respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People with bronchiectasis may suffer from chronic cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up blood. Their lung function may decline with time. These can also have a negative impact on their quality of life. Thus, a holistic management is needed to provide treatment and support. Therapies which include breathing manoeuvres, such as singing, may have health benefits for respiratory function and psychological well being. Objectives To evaluate the effects of a singing intervention as a therapy on the quality of life, morbidity, respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function of children and adults with bronchiectasis. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Airways Group (CAG) trials register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, major allied complementary databases, and clinical trials registers. Professional organisations and individuals were also contacted. CAG performed searches in February, and additional searches were carried out in February 2011. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials in which singing (as an intervention) is compared with either a sham intervention or no singing in patients with bronchiectasis. Data collection and analysis Two authors independently reviewed the titles, abstracts and citations to assess potential relevance for full review. No eligible trials were identified and thus no data were available for analysis. Main results No meta-analysis could be performed. 1 Singing for children and adults with bronchiectasis (Review)

Effectiveness of music therapy: a summary of systematic reviews based on randomized controlled trials of music interventions

“…There was no evidence for three studies (ie, dyslexia,30 cystic fibrosis,34 and bronchiectasis35) because they were not RCTs.…”

“…MT is expected to improve gait and related activities such as rehabilitation in diseases of the central nervous system. There were also several studies that identified “Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-99).”22,35 Improvements seen in these studies were mainly due to effects of singing on breathing function, such as respiratory rate, and on the circulation function, such as heart rate.…”

British Thoracic Society Guideline for bronchiectasis in adults

“…A Cochrane review, Singing for children and adults with bronchiectasis, found no eligible trials, therefore, no data were available for analysis. 261 A review 262 and a controlled study 263 around vitamin D both concluded that vitamin D deficiency was common in bronchiectasis, however, there were no RCTs assessing vitamin D. A case control study on a small number of patients (n=34 with bronchiectasis, n=29 without) found that the patients with bronchiectasis had significantly lower serum zinc level than the control group, however, there were no trials to evaluate the prophylactic or therapeutic use of zinc supplements. 264 …”

Singing for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…Singing can be performed individually or in a group (choir), and can be arranged or improvised. Singing is a much more complex physical activity than speaking due to the greater length of phrases and greater range of pitch required (Irons 2010). Singing is dependent on the use of the lungs for air supply.…”

“…Thus, singing needs to be performed for a sufficient duration, and most likely at a sufficient intensity in order to ensure an effective stimulus for learning this technique and for potentially having an effect on important health outcomes. The precise ’dosage’ will likely vary for each person and may depend on their age, disease severity, and previous experience with singing (Irons 2010). …”