[Outcomes of a pulmonary rehabilitation program including singing training]

Respiratory education by singing may be considered in the course of pulmonary rehabilitation to help control breathing and reduce dyspnoea.

We have undertaken singing training during pulmonary rehabilitation in 45 patients, mean age 60.1 ± 10.0 years, suffering from COPD (n=37) or other chronic respiratory disorders (n=8). The parameters measured at the beginning and end of course of rehabilitation were: forced vital capacity, FEV1, total lung capacity, residual volume, 6 min walking distance, VO2max, maximum pressure, MRC dyspnoea score, Cincinnati questionnaires and VSRQ (simplified visual respiratory questionnaire).

The following were the principal significant variations observed (initial value, % variation, significance): 6 minutes walk (326 ± 114 m, +13.8%, P=0.006); VO2max (18,1 ± 6.1 ml/kg/min, +8.3%, P=0.01); P max (75 ± 31 W, +14.7%, P=0.001); MRC score (2.3 ± 0.6, -21.7%, P<10(-4)); VSRQ score (34 ± 13, +50.0%, P<10(-6)). There was no significant change in the level of dyspnoea evaluated by the Cincinnati score.

These results are in favor of a beneficial effect of singing during pulmonary rehabilitation.