Going for karaoke sessions might help improve the overall quality of life of people with chronic lung disease, according to new research. — dpa
Singing songs by Elvis Presley and The Beatles could help patients with lung disease, a small new study suggests.
Researchers found that group singing therapy online can help improve the quality of life among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD).
Experts from Monash University in Australia and the University of Cambridge in Britain examined data on 101 patients in Australia.
Half were enrolled in an online singing programme that took place over 12 weeks.
The 90-minute sessions saw people guided through group singing of songs including Presley’s Can’t Help Falling In Love, Let It Be by The Beatles and World War I song Pack Up Your Troubles.
The other half were given usual care.
All of the people in the study took part in surveys designed to assess a person’s quality of life.
The score was 7.4 points higher among the singing group, and even higher among the group who attended eight sessions or more.
People who attended eight or more singing sessions had a score that was 11 points higher than those who received usual care, which researchers said is a “clinically important difference”.
Greater effects were seen among women and those with anxiety and depression.
Presenting the study at the 2025 European Respiratory Society Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Monash University professor of respiratory medicine Dr Natasha Smallwood said: “Chronic breathlessness is a common and highly distressing symptom for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease.
“Yet, there is a lack of safe, effective and acceptable treatment options for managing this symptom.
“Group singing is increasingly used to manage symptoms and improve quality of life for people with neurological, mental health and respiratory conditions, but we need more evidence to prove that this is beneficial, especially for people with interstitial lung disease.”
She added: “Compared to usual care, taking part in the Sinfonia singing programme led to improved quality of life for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or interstitial lung disease with chronic breathlessness.
“These effects were most pronounced amongst people who attended at least eight of the 12 sessions.”
Prof Smallwood added: “The way in which group singing improves quality of life remains unclear and may vary for different participants, but it could be due to better control of breathing, social connection or mood improvements.”
Commenting on the study, the European Respiratory Society’s expert group on airway diseases head Dr Apostolos Bossios said: “People with COPD and ILD suffer with long-term breathing difficulties and this can severely restrict their day-to-day lives.
“These conditions cannot be cured, so we need better strategies to help people live happier, healthier lives.
“The world-first Sinfonia study adds to a growing body of evidence that supports using non- medication-based approaches for managing challenging conditions.
“By better understanding how group singing can be incorporated in existing healthcare services, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of patients with lung disease such as COPD and ILD.”
Asthma and Lung UK chief executive Sarah Sleet said: “It’s not a surprise that a singing programme could improve your symptoms of lung disease and improve your quality of life, as singing requires good breath control and releases hormones called endorphins that can help you to feel happy and even relieve pain.
“But it’s good to see research in this area, which can help people with lung conditions understand what they could do themselves to improve their lung disease, while having a good time.” – By Ella Pickover/PA Media/dpa
