Effects of Singing in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Effects of Singing in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the practice of singing for a long
 period of time on pulmonary function data, quality of life, and dyspnea sensation of patients
 with COPD in stable clinical conditions. As singing is a type of respiratory training, the
 study hypothesis is that singing would improve maximal respiratory pressures, dyspnea
 sensation, and overall quality of life of these patients.
Thirty COPD patients in stable clinical conditions are going to be randomized in two groups:
 the first one is going to have singing classes for six months; the other one is going to have
 classes of general manual arts for a similar period of time. The patients of both groups are
 going to perform spirometry, measurements of maximal respiratory pressures and answer the
 health related quality of life questionnaires SF-36 and Saint George's before the beginning
 of practice and after 6 months.Both singing and manual arts practices are going to be
 administered one hour a week by specialized teachers.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Diagnosis of COPD according GOLD criteria

 -  Stable clinical conditions for the previous two months

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Severe comorbidities other than COPD

 -  Hypoxemia with partial arterial oxygen pressure lower than 50 mmHg

 -  Incapacity to come to the research center in a weekly basis.