Choir boosts health

A choir established for cancer survivors has proved massively beneficial to their mental health, researchers have reported.

The choir Sing for Life was established by the Welsh cancer charity Tenovus two years ago, hoping to improve the quality of life of people recovering from the disease.

Now researchers at Cardiff University have done a professional assessment of 23 participants over a three month period.

Researcher Nichola Gale said singers enjoyed reduced anxiety and depression – although physical effects were limited.

The researchers write: "The perceived benefit of the choir was quite clear based on data from the interviewed participants. They commented on the benefits of having a common goal and looking forward to the performances.

"Overall, participation in the choir lifted the mood of many of the participants and gave them a sense of achievement.

"The results of this pilot study are generally in agreement with earlier studies on the effects of singing."

2012) A pilot investigation of quality of life and lung function following choral singing in cancer survivors and their carers. NS Gale, S Enright, C Reagon, I Lewis and R van Deursen ecancer 4 261