Today, we are acknowledging World COPD Day.
‘World COPD Day, held annually on 16th November, is organised by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease in collaboration with health care professionals and COPD patient groups throughout the world.’
To mark this important day, we’ve put together some information about COPD and singing for lung health:
- Lung disease is currently the 3rd leading cause of death in the UK
- In the UK a person dies every 5 minutes from a respiratory condition
- 1 in 5 people in the UK will develop either Asthma or COPD during their lives
(Data from British Lung Foundation Website, 2016)
COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and causes obstructions in the airways, leading to a dysfunctional breathing pattern which is often termed ‘hyperventilation syndrome’
(Law et al, 2018)
Many COPD patients experience voice changes – a study found 50% of participants experienced dysphonia and vocal quality production, which can affect quality of life.
(El-Maghraby A, Mohamed E, 2014; Shastry et al, 2014; Cassiani et al, 2013)
How can singing help people with COPD?
- Encouraging optimal use of respiratory muscles, supporting the breath out (expiration)
- Appropriate use of SOVTEs – improving dysphonia
- Learning breath control and management
(Macdonald et al, 2012; Hassan, 2018; Lewis et al, 2016)
Singing for Lung Health (SLH) as a targeted approach
SLH provides physical, psychological and social benefits and presents an opportunity for breathing patterns to be consciously modified.
(Lewis et al, 2016)
Singing for Lung Health requires leaders to be skilled in delivering breath and vocal exercises which are aligned with that of respiratory and speech and language therapists.
(Kaasgaad et al, 2020; Titze 2006)
Singing for Lung Health is not inferior to standard physical exercise training. Longer term and larger studies are needed, including examining health economics and reproducibility.
(Kaasgaad et al, 2022)
References:
Cassiani, R. A., Aguiar-Ricz, L., Santos, C. M., Martinez, J. A. B., & Dantas, R. O. (2013) Glottal competence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ACR, 18(3), 149-54
El-Maghraby, A., Mohamed, E. (2014) Voice changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis. Volume 63, Issue 3, p. 561-567
Hassan, M.M., Hussein, M.T., Emam, A.M., Rashad, U.M., Rezk, I., Awad, A.H. (2018) Is insufficient pulmonary air support the cause of dysphonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? Auris Nasus Larynx. 45;4 p. 807-814
Kaasgaard, M., Andersen, I.C., Rasmussen, D.B., et al (2020) Heterogeneity in Danish lung choirs and their singing leaders: delivery, approach, and experiences: a survey-based study. BMJ Open.10:e041700
Kaasgaard M, Rasmussen DB, Andreasson KH, Hilberg O, Løkke A, Vuust P, Bodtger U. (2022) Use of Singing for Lung Health as an alternative training modality within pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD: a randomised controlled trial. Eur Respir J. 19;59(5):2101142
Law, N., Ruane, L.E., Low, K., Hamza, K., Bardin, P.G. (2018) Dysfunctional breathing is more frequent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than in asthma and in health. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. Volume 247, P. 20-23
Lewis, A., Cave, P., Stern, M. et al. (2016) Singing for Lung Health—a systematic review of the literature and consensus statement. npj Prim Care Resp Med 26, 16080
Macdonald, I., Rubin, J.S., Blake, E., Hirani, S., Epstein, R. (2012) An investigation of abdominal muscle recruitment for sustained phonation in 25 healthy singers. Journal of Voice. 26(6), 815.e9-815.e16
Shastry, A., Balasubramanium, R.K., & Acharya, P. (2014) Voice Analysis in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. International Journal of Phonosurgery & Laryngology. 5. 45-49
Titze, I.R (2006) Voice training and therapy with a semi-occluded vocal tract: rationale and scientific underpinnings. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 49:448–59
Recent Posts
After The Session
After The Session: Games & Gadgets: Unlocking Vocal Skills Through Movement and Play🎤✨
Voice Study Centre
Tuesday 15th September 2026Vocal technique isn't just about standing still in front of a piano and doing scales - it's an interactive, whole-body experience! In a fantastic workshop hosted by the Voice Study Centre today, Naomi Lewandowski (Northside Voice Studio, Australia) led us through an engaging session on how physical movement, somatic awareness, and everyday "gadgets" can transform vocal training.
Read More...
Student Interviews
Could a Harmonica Have a Place in the Voice Studio?
Voice Study Centre
Tuesday 8th September 2026What does a harmonica have to do with the human voice? For harmonica performer and music educator Shima Melvin, this question became the starting point for her postgraduate research with the Voice Study Centre. While developing her approach to teaching harmonica, Shima found herself struggling to explain exactly what was happening inside the instrument when she played. The mechanics of the harmonica were, in a sense, invisible.
Read More...
After The Session
After The Session: Common Medical Diagnoses and Treatments in Voice Patients
Voice Study Centre
Friday 4th September 2026Voice care extends far beyond opera stars! A voice professional includes anyone whose livelihood depends on an effective and pleasing voice - teachers, solicitors, sports coaches, secretaries, and sales personnel. Yesterday, we welcomed back Dr. Robert Sataloff MD, DMA, FACS, for a short course into the diagnosis, medical care, and surgical management of voice patients. Robert is the Director of Otolaryngology at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Voice, professional singer, and a conductor.. Read on for the key insights and takeaways every vocal professional, pedagogue, and performer should know!
Read More...