Group Singing (Hybrid Format) or Solo Singing in Older Adults With Coronary Artery Disease: A Feasibility Study
Medical College of Wisconsin
Summary
The overall objective of the planned future clinical trial is to test the investigator's central hypothesis that habitual singing over several weeks, similar to habitual exercise, will lead to sustained and favorable vascular adaptation, thereby lowering cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The overall objective of this study is to refine and protocolize the singing interventions and test the feasibility of the future trial design. The investigative team has previously studied solo singing. Collective singing, as in a choir or small group, is associated with a positive sense of social inclusion, well-being, and improved mood, including in older adults.
Description
The investigator previously studied 65 subjects (mean age 68±7, 40% women) with known CAD in a randomized, control cross-over clinical trial of singing interventions: (1) a 30-minute period of guided singing from an in-person coach (music therapist), (2) a 30-minute period of singing along to an instructional video created by and including a professor of voice and 'inexperienced, older singing student,' and (3) a 'rest' control during which subjects underwent a brief hearing test. Fifty-four percent reported a physical or orthopedic limitation. The primary outcome was vascular endothelial func…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 55–89 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * history of coronary artery disease (defined as having at least 1 of the following: myocardial infarction, coronary stent, PCI, CABG, coronary stenosis at least 50%, or coronary artery calcification score at least 300 Agatston units) Exclusion Criteria: * Parkinson's disease or tremor * upper arm fistula * fingernail onychomycosis * pregnancy * current tobacco use * current illicit drug use * current excessive alcohol use (defined as more than 14 drinks/week for women, more than 28 drinks/week for men) * unstable CAD (active symptoms of chest discomfort) * supplemental…
Interventions
- Behavioralgroup singing (hybrid format)
12-weeks of group singing, combination of in-person and virtual sessions, 3 times weekly
- Behavioralinstructional sing-along video series
12-week solo singing video series done independently, 3 times weekly
Location
- Medical College of WisconsinMilwaukee, Wisconsin