How Singing Can Help Parkinson’s Patients

Singing can be a beneficial and enjoyable activity for patients with Parkinson’s disease, offering both physical and emotional advantages.

Here’s how it helps:

1. Enhanced Vocal Strength and Control: Parkinson’s can lead to a weakening of the vocal muscles, making speech softer and less clear. Singing regularly exercises these muscles, helping to improve vocal loudness, tone, and quality by requiring the singer to sustain notes and project their voice.

2. Improved Respiratory Control: Singing involves deep breathing and the controlled release of air to produce sound. This can strengthen the respiratory muscles and improve breath control, which is beneficial for speech as well as overall respiratory health.

3. Better Speech Clarity: The articulation required in singing helps improve the clarity of speech by practicing and enhancing the precision of lip, tongue, and jaw movements. This can make everyday communication easier for those with Parkinson’s.

4. Increased Swallowing Coordination: Singing involves many of the same throat muscles used in swallowing. By strengthening these muscles, the risk of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) common in Parkinson’s can be reduced.

5. Neurological Stimulation: Music and singing can stimulate the brain, potentially improving neuroplasticity. This is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, which can help compensate for injury and disease progression.

6. Emotional and Social Benefits: Singing, especially in a group setting like a choir, offers important social interactions that can combat the isolation and depression that often accompany Parkinson’s. The joy of music can significantly uplift mood and provide a sense of community and support.

7. Cognitive Benefits: Learning new songs and participating in musical activities can improve cognitive functions like memory, attention, and executive function. These are often areas of concern for individuals with Parkinson’s.