Singing improves the lives of people living with Parkinson’s, according to an Australian-first study conducted by researchers from the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, Griffith University.
More than 70 people from around Queensland participated in the ground-breaking Griffith University study that
looked at how singing could improve the health and wellbeing of people with Parkinson’s.
Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre’s Professor Don Stewart said it did not matter if participants could hold a note, they simply had to commit to trying to sing for an hour once a week for six months.
In each session participants sang, did vocal warm ups, breathing exercises and took part in social activities.
The study was based on a UK program called ‘Sing to Beat Parkinsons’ that had not been clinically tested before.
Professor Stewart said the aim of the project was simple: to see if singing could enhance the quality of life for
people with Parkinson’s and their carers.
“We wanted to help