“Singing for breathing”: participants' perceptions of a group singing programme for people with COPD

Objective
To examine the perceived feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of regular singing for people with COPD.

Design
Qualitative element within a pre-test, post-test feasibility study.

Methods
Written comments collected at baseline, mid-point and end-point from participants engaged in a 36 week singing programme.

Findings
Participants noted limitations due to their respiratory condition but a large number expressed beliefs that singing had led to improvement and this appeared to be incremental over the time of the project. Other comments related to positive effects on physical health more broadly, on psychological wellbeing and on the social support gained through meeting others with COPD. Comments relating to the overall programme and the research itself were overwhelmingly positive.

Conclusions
Findings suggest that singing is perceived as both acceptable and beneficial to people with COPD. Evidence from participants served as a useful supplement to the quantitative findings.

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