Singing in a choir can be a powerful tool for improving the quality of life for individuals living with brain conditions. This is according to research from the University of Auckland's Centre for Brain Research, which found a strong link between choir participation and self-reported quality of life for people with brain injuries and dementia. The CeleBRation Choir, launched almost two decades ago, has helped stroke survivors and adults with other brain conditions through voice exercises and singing of familiar songs. Singing in this choir has helped people overcome difficulties with speech, language, voice, and memory.
One of the key benefits of singing in a choir is that it can reduce social isolation and the sense of loss that often follows a diagnosis. Singing as therapy can help people with brain conditions, such as Parkinson's disease and dementia, to communicate more effectively and regain their confidence. The body works in a similar way during speech and singing, both of which work the lungs, voice mechanisms, and overlapping brain pathways lost to conditions such as Parkinson's or stroke.
Singing can also help people with Parkinson's disease to articulate their speech more clearly and breathe adequately to project their voice. For stroke survivors, singing can help them to practice vocalizing without the battle to find all the right words. In fact, stroke survivors can often sing their favorite songs more fluently than they can speak.
The emotional connection through song is another benefit of singing in a choir. Singing taps into a person's emotional and autobiographical memory, and songs they recall from their youth can prompt lively conversations even if they seldom speak. Group singing can also increase levels of brain chemicals that boost mood, such as oxytocin and endorphins.
The CeleBRation Choir has inspired the creation of other local groups and the development of The VOCCAL Handbook, which provides resources for anyone wanting to start their own neurological choir. No prior singing experience is required to join a neurological choir, and the sense of camaraderie and give-it-a-go attitude is contagious. Music that is well-known and well-loved is key, making singing easier for stroke survivors with the language disorder aphasia and people with dementia.
In conclusion, singing in a choir can be a powerful tool for improving the quality of life for individuals living with brain conditions. It can reduce social isolation, help people to communicate more effectively, and provide a sense of emotional connection and camaraderie. More singing, more choirs, and more trained facilitators are needed to make this approach more accessible and beneficial to those who need it.
