Singing Groups for Seniors: Well-Being, Cognitive Function and Health (Sing4Health)

Iolanda Costa Galinha

Status: Completed

Conditions: Physical Function; Health Complaint, Subjective; Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate; Loneliness; Body Weight; Medication Compliance; Anxiety; Balance; C-reactive Protein; Social Identification; Cognitive Function; Blood Glucose; Well-Being; Pain Perception; Quality of Life; Respiratory Function; Biomarker; Cholesterol; Depression; Memory; Sleep; Blood Pressure; Stress

Treatments: Other: Alternative Social and Leisure Activities; Other: Singing Group Intervention Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03985917

Project 626 Sing Group Seniors

Details and patient eligibility

About

The researchers' implement and measure the effects of a singing group intervention program for older adults, with an RCT design, in a natural context, on the health, well-being and cognitive function of older adults.

Full description

Background: Singing is a multimodal activity that requires physical, cognitive and psychosocial performance, with benefits in various domains of health and well-being of older adults. In recent years, research has increasingly studied group singing as an important cost-effective intervention to promote active and healthy aging. However, the specific factors responsible for these benefits need further experimental support, as most studies do not allow for causal inferences. This study responds to the need for further randomized controlled trials (RCT), with follow-up measurement, on the benefits of group singing in older adults with diverse socioeconomic status. Also, while most studies often focus on specific outcome measures dimensions, in this study, the conjoint effects of physical, psychosocial, emotional and cognitive dimensions are analyzed, testing mediation and moderation effects of psychosocial and cognitive variables in the health and well-being of the participants. Methods: The team implements and measures the effects of a singing group program for older adults, with an RCT design, in a natural context, before and after the intervention and in a follow-up, four months after the intervention. Participants: 140 retired older adults (> 60 years), users of a social care institution, were invited to participate in a singing group program and randomly allocated to an experimental intervention group (n = 70), and a control (n = 70) group enrolled in the regular activities proposed by the institution. The intervention consists of 34 bi-weekly group singing sessions, of two-hours each, for four months. Measures on social and emotional well-being, cognitive function, and health indicators (as blood pressure, glycemia, cholesterol, c-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, respiratory function, body balance, body activity, sleep quality, medication intake, and health services attendance) will be collected. Interviews on the motivation and perceived benefits of participation will also be collected. Discussion: Significant improvements are expected in the outcome measures in the experimental group after the intervention, in comparison with the control group and the pretest, validating the singing group program as a cost-effective intervention for healthy aging. Psychoemotional, psychosocial and cognitive variables are expected to be mediators of the effects of the program on the health and well-being of the participants.

Enrollment: 140 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Being 60 years old or older;
• Retired;
• Accept the invitation to participate in the singing group program;
• Not having participated in other intervention programs in the previous four months.

Exclusion criteria

• Having a severe impairment, that is disabling for the participation in the singing group activity (e.g. severe cognitive, auditory, visual or mobility impairments).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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140 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention Singing Group Program

Experimental group

Description:

Singing group intervention program that includes six components: (1) vocal warm-up exercises; (2) vocal technique; (3) rehearsal of repertoire; (4) break for socialization; (5) creation and presentation of a show; (6) assessment of participants performance (vocal tuning).

Treatment:

Other: Singing Group Intervention Program

Alternative Social and Leisure Activities

Active Comparator group

Description:

While the experimental group is participating in the intervention program, the control group will participate in the other activities proposed by the day care centers, which will be registered.

Treatment:

Other: Alternative Social and Leisure Activities