December 2015 - News!

Conferences, Symposiums, Workshops     view all upcoming

• 14th biennial International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition (IMPC14) will be held in San Francisco July 5-9, 2016.  Period for abstract submission is now open.  LINK  
  

AIRS News  

Article abstracts in the journal Music and Medicine, October 2015:

• Singing for Health, Connection and Care, Amy Clements-Cortés, University of Toronto, Music and Health Research Collaboratory, Baycrest Centre
  

Singing Together was the third part of a multi-phase investigation examining the benefits of singing with older adults in an adult daycare program (Phase 1), and in a long-term care facility (Phases 2 and 3). Phase 3 focused on residents of a long-term care facility who were diagnosed with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, and was unique in its extended scope of examining their choral participation with caregivers, or significant others. Pain, energy level, and mood were assessed using multiple objective and self-reported tools. Results of 16 weeks of choir sessions indicate statistically significant reduced perceptions of pain and increased energy and mood for both residents and significant others. Qualitative themes in this study included: encourages maximized participation; facilitates interaction and bonding; promotes enjoyment and fun; encourages improved mood and attitude; facilitates energy and motivation; promotes stress release and relaxation; and singing as a recognized therapy. Future implications of these findings will be discussed as well as overall analysis of the research project. A literature review outlining the effects of clinical choral singing with respect to older adults was provided in Part1: Clinical Effects of Choral Singing for Older Adults [1]of this two part paper.

• Clinical Effects of Choral Singing for Older Adults, Amy Clements-Cortés, University of Toronto, Music and Health Research Collaboratory, Baycrest Centre
  

This paper presents a literature summary overviewing the clinical effects of choral singing with a focus on older adults. As part one of a two part paper, this review helps to establish the framework for the research study “Singing for Health Connection and Care” presented in part two. Information is offered on the psychophysiological effects of singing; social benefits of singing; emotional benefits of singing; music in long-term care facilities and outcomes for persons with dementia and their caregivers. To date, the studies conducted as examined in this review show promising results for physical, emotional, and mental health, however further research is needed. This analysis of the literature provides the necessary background information to implement future choral singing studies with older adults and their caregivers, and serves to support the need for the study undertaken in part two.

• Changes in Spirometry, Quality of Life and Well-Being in Persons with Asthma following Singing, Diaphragmatic Breathing, and Singing and Diaphragmatic Breathing: A Pilot Study. Mary Gick, Carina Daugherty, Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
  

Singing and diaphragmatic breathing were explored as interventions for asthma symptoms, quality of life, and well-being. 60 participants (mean age = 29.7, 45 females) were assigned to singing, breathing, or singing plus breathing conditions. Breathlessness, vitality, and spirometry were measured pre and post intervention at 4 weekly group sessions; respiratory quality of life and well-being were assessed at first and fourth sessions. Asthma control and home practice were measured weekly. Some spirometry, quality of life and well-being measures improved, with no differences among conditions. Practice duration was significantly longer in singing than in breathing conditions, and practice enjoyment tended to be higher in singing plus breathing than in breathing conditions. Limitations and implications for singing research and interventions are discussed.​