Feeling Lonely? Singing Could Be a Joyful Remedy

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Two new studies put the psychological and overall health benefits of singing with a group in the spotlight. Although approximately 32.5 million U.S. adults regularly sing in some type of choir, community singing is an often-overlooked way to unplug from our digital devices, connect with others, and reduce feelings of loneliness/perceived social isolation. This new research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that community singing is an effective intervention for improving people's mental health. (For more, see "Singing Your Heart Out Has Surprising Psychological Benefits.")

According to preliminary findings from a new pilot study by researchers at Iowa State University, one hour of singing with a group significantly reduced the so-called “stress hormone” cortisol and was correlated with reduced feelings of sadness and anxiety in those who suffer from Parkinson's disease. Singing also appeared to improve motor functions and fluidity of movement in Parkinson's patients. These first-of-their-kind findings were reported November 8 by the Iowa State University news service.

This research was conducted by a three-person ISU team that included: Elizabeth Stegemöller, who is a music therapist and associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology; Elizabeth “Birdie” Shirtcliff, associate professor in human development and family studies; and Andrew Zaman, a graduate student in kinesiology and psychology.

For this study, the Iowa State University trio recruited 17 study participants who are members of an ongoing therapeutic singing group led by Stegemöller. Notably, the researchers found that after a one-hour singing session, biomarkers for cortisol were significantly lower among group members.

“Part of the reason cortisol is going down could be because the singing participants feel positive and less stress in the act of singing with others in the group. This suggests we can look at the bonding hormone, oxytocin," Shirtcliff said in a statement. "We're also looking at heart rate and heart rate variability, which can tell us how calm and physiologically relaxed the individual is after singing." (For more, see "Oxytocin, Spirituality, and the Biology of Feeling Connected.")

Although these initial results are promising, more research is needed to identify the exact mechanisms that are driving these psychological and physiological benefits. The researchers are currently analyzing blood samples to pinpoint if increased levels of oxytocin and other factors are correlated with better mood and movement among people with Parkinson’s who regularly sing in a group.

In the TedX lecture below, Stegemöller discusses the brain benefits of music therapy:

Older Adults Who Sing Together Are Less Lonely and Have More Joie de Vivre

The second new study on the benefits of singing in a group, “A Community Choir Intervention to Promote Well-being Among Diverse Older Adults: Results from the Community of Voices Trial,” was published November 9 in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B. The objective of this study was “to test effects of the Community of Voices choir intervention on the health, well-being, and health care costs of racial/ethnically diverse older adults.”

The Community of Voices/Comunidad de Voces is a multicultural research collaborative led by researchers at UCSF that is in the process of investigating if singing in a community choir is a cost-effective, art-based social intervention that improves quality of life for older adults from diverse backgrounds. Each of the 12 Community of Voices choirs are led by professional choir directors/accompanists and are culturally tailored to fit the demographics of each location. These secular choirs are appropriate for people with a wide range of singing abilities and are purposely designed to create "flow" by being just challenging enough to facilitate mastery without choir-members feeling overwhelmed.

According to a 2015 Census Bureau report, approximately 15 percent of the total U.S. population (50 million people) was aged 65 or older three years ago. The 65+ demographic is particularly vulnerable to feelings of perceived social isolation and loneliness, which are correlated with depression and poor health outcomes.

"Our current health and social systems are not prepared to help support our rapidly increasing population of older adults," lead author Julene Johnson, associate dean for research and professor in the UCSF School of Nursing, said in a statement. In recent years, Johnson has dedicated herself to evidence-based research that puts the often-overlooked benefits of singing with a choir on older adults’ well-being in the spotlight. "There's a high percentage who experience loneliness and social isolation, and depression also is relatively high. There's a need to develop novel approaches to help older adults stay engaged in the community and also stay connected," she said.

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The 90-minute community choir sessions were geared towards practicing a specific recital for a casual public performance. During this six-month study, each singer self-reported his or her psychological state of mind and overall emotional well-being. After assessing these questionnaires, the researchers found that older adults who sang in the community choir experienced significantly less perceived social isolation and more “interest in life.”

The authors conclude, “[Our] findings support adoption of community choirs for reducing loneliness and increasing interest in life among diverse older adults. Further efforts need to examine the mechanisms by which engagement in choirs improves aspects of well-being and reduces health disparities among older adults, including potential longer-term effects.”

Singing together is one of the most ancient and joyful ways for people from all walks of life to come together and have fun. Although more research is needed to understand exactly how singing in a community choir can benefit our overall well-being and mental health, the latest research serves as a reminder that singing with one another could be a perfect drug-free remedy for dissolving some of the barriers that isolate and divide us.