Singing for People with Advance Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Lena Ly; Jennifer Philip; Peter Hudson; Natasha Smallwood

doi:10.3390/biomedicines10092086

Singing for People with Advance Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Biomedicines. 2022 Aug 26;10(9):2086. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10092086.

Authors

Lena Ly^{1

2

3}, Jennifer Philip^{1

2}, Peter Hudson^{1

2

4}, Natasha Smallwood^{1

3

5}

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
² Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia.
³ Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
⁴ Vrije University Brussels, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
⁵ The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.

Abstract

Rationale: Although there remains insufficient evidence regarding singing programs as effective strategies for achieving clinically significant health outcomes, this non-pharmacological intervention appears to be subjectively low-risk and well-tolerated by people with advanced chronic respiratory diseases (CRD).

Objective: This study sought to examine and synthesize the current qualitative evidence regarding the experiences of participating in singing for breathing programs by people with advanced CRD.

Methods: A meta-synthesis of qualitative data was conducted. Electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE) were searched for published qualitative studies reporting the effects of singing programs for adults with advanced CRD and their carers. Primary qualitative data were extracted and analysed, which generated descriptive and analytical themes.

Results: Themes identified from seven included studies were: anticipation and reluctance to participate; physical and psychological benefits; new sense of purpose and enjoyment; social connection and achievement; and broad views regarding program structure and content. The themes highlighted changing perspectives before, during and after engaging in the singing program, as participants transitioned from initial anxiety to mastery of their chronic condition as the singing program progressed. Participants, however, raised concerns regarding several singing technicalities, the lack of ongoing support after the singing programs' conclusion and the social impacts of transitioning the sessions online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions: This meta-synthesis highlights the positive experiences of people with CRD who participate in singing for breathing programs. Further research, including longitudinal qualitative studies, can provide insight into the acceptability and feasibility of singing programs and inform the broader implementation of the intervention.

Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; chronic respiratory disease; interstitial lung diseases; qualitative research; quality of life; self-management; singing.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

Natasha Smallwood is supported by research grant funding from the Windermere Foundation and National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia). Lena Ly receives a PhD scholarship from a Windermere Foundation grant, which supported the work to undertake this qualitative meta-synthesis.