Singing eases Parkinson's: One-hour choir sessions reduce blood pressure and stress levels in sufferers - and even improve neurological symptoms, study suggests

November 10, 2018  13:45

Singing may reduce stress and improve mood for people with Parkinson's disease, a new study suggests.

Researchers say that belting out a song in a group could provide benefits beyond improving respiratory and swallow control in Parkinson's patients.

Just one hour was found to decrease heart rate and blood pressure, as well as improve neurological symptoms such as finger tapping, similar to the benefits of taking medication.

But the team, from Iowa State University, says its findings show that therapeutic singing could be a more accessible and affordable treatment option for Parkinson's patients.

For the study, the team looked at 17 Parkinson's patients who were part of a therapeutic singing group.

The researchers measured the participants' heart rate, blood pressure and levels of cortisol, also known as the 'stress hormone'.

The patients were also asked to report on feelings of anger, anxiety, happiness and sadness. Data was collected prior to a one-hour singing session and immediately following it.

Results showed that heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels were reduced after the class.

Scientists said that, although there were no significant changes in feelings of happiness or anger, the group members did report feeling less anxious and sad after the singing session.

'We see the improvement every week when they leave singing group,' said Dr Elizabeth Stegemöller, an assistant professor of kinesiology at Iowa State.

'It's almost like they have a little pep in their step. We know they're feeling better and their mood is elevated.'

She adds that while the findings are preliminary, the improvements among the patients resembled the benefits of taking medication.

'Some of the symptoms that are improving, such as finger tapping and the gait, don't always readily respond to medication, but with singing they're improving,' said Dr Stegemöller.

Researchers are encouraged by the results, but they still have to find the mechanism steering the behavioral changes.

'Part of the reason cortisol is going down could be because the singing participants feel positive and less stress in the act of singing with others in the group,' said Dr Elizabeth Shirtcliff, an associate professor in human development family studies at Iowa State.

The team next plans to analyze patients' blood samples to measure levels of oxytocin, a hormone that plays a role in social bonding.

They will also be looking at changes in inflammation - which is an indicator of the progression of Parkinson's - and neuroplasticity - the ability of the brain to change - to see if singing benefits these factors.

'We're also looking at heart rate and heart rate variability, which can tell us how calm and physiologically relaxed the individual is after singing,' said Dr Shirtcliff.

The new study builds upon the team's previous research, which found that singing improved respiratory control and the muscles used for swallowing in Parkinson's patients.

Currently, there are between 50,000 and 60,000 cases diagnosed in the US every year. However, the prevalence is expected to double over the next 20 years.

According to the Parkinson's Foundation, that means there will more people living with the disease in the US than the combine number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig's disease.

In July, actor Alan Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson's. He said his advice was to 'keep moving'.

'I'm taking boxing lessons three times a week. I do singles tennis a couple of times a week. I march to Sousa music because marching to music is good for Parkinson's,' he told CBS This Morning.

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