Singing for Lung Health: The Basics

According to a 2016 study, nearly 1 in 5 people living in the UK have received a diagnosis of lung disease, making it highly likely that clinicians and voice teachers will encounter a singer living with a lung disease such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary fibrosis.

Dysfunctional breathing patterns can result from attempts to compensate for underlying pathology. Mounting evidence touts the benefits of better breathing patterns for patients with obstructive and restrictive lung diseases, however learning to sing may impact other systems.

Reduced respiratory capacity is associated with dysphonia and patients with lung disease are at a higher risk of developing complications due to swallowing problems. Singing can strengthen the muscle associated with phonation and swallowing, bring awareness to the oral motor mechanism, and assist in coordinating multiple physiological components critical to the management of lung disease.

In this presentation, we will explore the current available research and theories about why singing is beneficial to people living with impairments in the respiratory system.