Singing can significantly improve muscle activity associated with swallowing and respiratory control, research finds. The effects of Parkinson’s disease on these functions can lead to death.
Elizabeth Stegem枚ller, an assistant professor of kinesiology at Iowa State University, holds weekly music therapy classes for people with Parkinson’s disease. Her clients are even preparing for an upcoming music festival and concert, which highlight the clients’ musical talents, and celebrate the strength they have built through song.
“We’re not trying to make people better singers. We’re trying to work the muscles involved with swallowing and respiratory control, to make them work better and therefore protect against some of the complications of swallowing,” says Stegem枚ller.
Interest in the singing classes has exceeded what Stegem枚ller alone can manage, which is why she has created a DVD to train extension specialists.
“The goal is to expand this singing initiative,” Stegem枚ller says. “If the DVD is an effective training tool, we’d like to have as many classes as possible across the state.”
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In addition to extending her outreach, Stegem枚ller is also building on her research. Through her initial study, she learned singing might provide other benefits related to stress, mood, and depression. Stegem枚ller and colleagues are conducting follow-up studies testing blood and cortisol levels to see if there is a measurable difference.
Results of Stegem枚ller’s initial study appear in the journals and Complementary Therapies in Medicine.
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