The communication challenges many people with PD face can significantly impact various aspects of psychosocial wellbeing and lead to reduced social engagement, strain on existing relationships, and challenges participating in the workplace. Depression, anxiety, and internalized stigma often accompany these challenges.
1 Di Benedetto P, Cavazzon M, et al. “Voice and choral singing treatment: A new approach for speech and voice disorders in Parkinson’s disease.” Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2009; 45 (1): 13-9.
2 Good A, Earle, E, et al. “Community Choir Improves Vocal Production Measures in Individuals Living with Parkinson’s Disease.” Journal of Voice: official journal of the Voice Foundation vol. 39,3 (2025): 848.e7-848.e20. doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.12.001
3 Higgins AN, Richardson KC. “The effects of a choral singing intervention on speech characteristics in individuals with Parkinson’s disease: An exploratory study.” Commun Disord Q. 2019;40(4), 195-205. doi: 10.1177/1525740118783040
4 Yeo MS, Hwang J, et al. “Therapeutic singing-induced swallowing exercise for dysphagia in advanced-stage Parkinson’s disease.” Front in Neurol. 2024;15:1323703 doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1323703
Group singing is increasingly recognized in research and practice as an effective pathway to improve numerous aspects of health and wellbeing, such as:
Learning and performing songs can provide cognitive benefits, potentially improving memory.⁵
5 Tragantzopoulou, P., & Giannouli, V. (2025). “A Song for the Mind: A Literature Review on Singing and Cognitive Health in Aging Populations.” Brain Sciences, 15(3), 227.
Singing can improve breath control,⁶ vocal strength,⁷ voice quality,⁸ vocal fluency,⁹ and speech reception.¹⁰
6 Goldenberg, R. B. (2018). Singing Lessons for Respiratory Health: A Literature Review,Journal of Voice, 32(1)85-94
7 Di Benedetto, P., Cavazzon, M., Mondolo, F., Rugiu, G., Peratoner, A., & Biasutti, E. (2009). Voice and choral singing treatment: a new approach for speech and voice disorders in Parkinson’s disease. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 45(1), 13-19.
8 Tamplin, J., Morris, M.E., Marigliani, C., Baker, F.A., Noffs, G., Vogel, A.P. (2020) ParkinSong: Outcomes of a 12-Month Controlled Trial of Therapeutic Singing Groups in Parkinson’s Disease. Journal of Parkinson’s Disease,10(3), 1217-1230.
9 Glover, H., Kalinowski, J., Rastatter, M., & Stuart, A. (1996). Effect of instruction to sing on stuttering frequency at normal and fast rates. Perceptual and motor skills, 83(2), 511-522.
10 Dubinsky, E., Wood, E. A., Nespoli, G., & Russo, F. A. (2019). Short-Term Choir Singing Supports Speech-in-Noise Perception and Neural Pitch Strength in Older Adults With Age-Related Hearing Loss. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13, 1153
Singing helps regulate blood pressure,¹¹ increases oxygenation in the blood,¹² triggers the immune system,¹³ and promotes healthy lung function.¹⁴
11 Kang, J., Scholp, A., & Jiang, J. J. (2018). “A review of the physiological effects and mechanisms of singing.” Journal of Voice, 32(4), 390-395.
13 Beck, R. J., Cesario, T. C., Yousefi, A., & Enamoto, H. (2000). “Choral Singing, Performance Perception, and Immune System Changes in Salivary Immunoglobulin A and Cortisol.” Music Perception: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 18(1), 87–106. https://doi.org/10.2307/40285902
Kreutz, G., Bongard, S., Rohrmann, S. et al. “Effects of Choir Singing or Listening on Secretory Immunoglobulin A, Cortisol, and Emotional State.” J Behav Med 27, 623–635 (2004). https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.torontomu.ca/10.1007/s10865-004-0006-9
14 Bernardi, N. F., Snow, S., Peretz, I., Orozco Perez, H. D., Sabet-Kassouf, N., & Lehmann, A. (2017). “Cardiorespiratory optimization during improvised singing and toning.” Scientific reports, 7(1), 8113. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-07171-2
Singing with others can boost confidence and self-esteem,¹⁵ provides an accessible avenue for expression and accomplishment,¹⁶ increases pain tolerance,¹⁷ and reduces self-reported levels of depression and anxiety.¹⁸
15 Fancourt, D., Finn, S., Warran, K., & Wiseman, T. (2022). “Group singing in bereavement: effects on mental health, self-efficacy, self-esteem and well-being.” BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 12, e607-e615. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-001642
16 J.M. Bourja et al. “Exploratory Study on the Impact on Emotional Health Derived from Participation in an Inclusive Choir.” Healthcare 12(13), 1355.
17 D. Weinstein et al. “Group music performance causes elevated pain thresholds and social bonding in small and large groups of singers.” Evolution and Human Behavior 37(2), 158-58.
18 S. Coulton et al. “Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community singing on mental health-related quality of life of older people: randomized controlled trial (2015).” British Journal of Psychiatry. 207(3): 250-55.
Research has linked group singing to increased levels of oxytocin,¹⁹ willingness to cooperate and share resources,²⁰ and reduced social isolation as participants form meaningful connections.²¹
19 Kreutz, G. “Does singing facilitate social bonding?” Music and Medicine 6(2): 51-60.
20 Good, A. and Russo, F. “Singing promotes cooperation in a diverse group of children.”
Social Psychology, 47(6), 340–344.
21 Mathew, D., Sundar, S., Subramaniam, E., & Parmar, P. N. (2017). “Music therapy as group singing improves Geriatric Depression Scale score and loneliness in institutionalized geriatric adults with mild depression: A randomized controlled study.” International Journal of Educational and Psychological Researches, 3(1), 6-10.
Not only do participants report improved mood after singing,²² but research shows singing can decrease levels of salivary cortisol.²³
22 Good, A., & Russo, F. A. (2021). “Changes in mood, oxytocin, and cortisol following group and individual singing: A pilot study.” Psychology of Music, 50(4).
23 Kreutz, G., Bongard, S., Rohrmann, S., Hodapp, V., & Grebe, D. (2004). “Effects of choir singing or listening on secretory immunoglobulin A, cortisol, and emotional state.” Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 27(6), 623-635.
