Singing therapy helps Parkinson’s

Singing is proving to be a major benefit in people with Parkinson’s disease as it improves physical coordination and function movement, postural awareness, as well as speech and voice enrichment.

After extensive research into the American and UK singing therapy, Parkinson’s WA developed a program which helps sufferers, at many stages of the disease, rekindle the concept of rhythm, and improve their movement and voice.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder which progresses slowly in most people. The disease involves a lack of dopamine in the brain which causes symptoms including tremors, slowness of movement, muscle stiffness and balance problems.

Parkinson’s WA chief executive officer, Brenda Matthews, told DPS eNews the singing therapy class, which began at the start of the year, was an “uplifting” part in sufferers’ lives.

“The whole idea is very uplifting and positive. It gets sufferers breathing going and faces smiling,” Ms Matthews said.

“People with Parkinson’s have difficulties with their facial muscles as the disease progresses,” she explained.

“They can often have a very masked appearance and may look as though they are not communicating and lose their ability to express emotions with their faces,” she said.

After conducting international research, Ms Matthews saw music therapy as a “beneficial movement”.

Ms Matthews described the program (funded for a year by the Marian and E.H, Flack Trust), which increases social interaction, as a “very positive atmosphere” and said membership in Western Australia was increasing to more than 40.

“Social interaction is just as important as the physical importance,” she said.

The program includes two hours of singing, hand movements, breathing exercises, learning songs and bonding.

“If you can have a smile on your face, it doesn’t matter if you can’t sing. It’s just about opening your mouth and making sound,” Ms Matthews said.

Parkinson’s patients are said to enjoy the program so much that they want to record a CD.

“They may be getting a little ahead of themselves,” Ms Matthews laughed.

If you have a loved one with Parkinson’s disease, tell us what you think about the benefits of singing. Leave a comment in the box below.