A pilot choral intervention in individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum conditions; Singing away loneliness

Social disconnection is associated with poor outcome and long-term disability in individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum conditions (SCZ) but social isolation is not typically a target for treatment. Singing together has long been shown to promote unique group cohesion and improve sense of well-being across the lifespan. Accordingly, we devised a novel choral intervention to examine the potential efficacy of this low-burden social intervention strategy designed to reduce loneliness in SCZ. Seventeen SCZ participated in a weekly, 1-hr choir group for 8 weeks. At pre- and post-intervention, we examined symptoms, loneliness, stress, and face recognition. Choral intervention led to significant reductions in scores for loneliness, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). No significant changes were observed in scores for the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), face recognition, or the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Diminished loneliness was inversely correlated with the number of sessions attended. Participants judged the choir intervention to be acceptable and enjoyable. Reduced loneliness and symptom improvement after 8 weeks of intervention in SCZ suggest that choral intervention presents an enjoyable and low-burden opportunity to collaborate in a group setting for isolated individuals and thus may serve as a beneficial adjunct in a multi-arm intervention strategy for alleviating symptom distress and loneliness.