title: Choral singing therapy following stroke or Parkinson's disease: an exploration of participants' experiences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  People with stroke or Parkinson's disease (PD) live with reduced mood, social participation and quality of life (QOL). Communication difficulties affect 90% of people with PD (dysarthria) and over 33% of people with stroke (aphasia). These consequences are disabling in many ways. However, as singing is typically still possible, its therapeutic use is of increasing interest. This article explores the experiences of and factors influencing participation in choral singing therapy (CST) by people with stroke or PD and their significant others.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (eight people with stroke, six with PD) were recruited from a community music therapy choir running CST. Significant others (seven for stroke, two for PD) were also recruited. Supported communication methods were used as needed to undertake semi-structured interviews (total N = 23).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thematic analysis indicated participants had many unmet needs associated with their condition, which motivated them to explore self-management options. CST participation was described as an enjoyable social activity, and participation was perceived as improving mood, language, breathing and voice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Choral singing was perceived by people with stroke and PD to help them self-manage some of the consequences of their condition, including social isolation, low mood and communication difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Choral singing therapy (CST) is sought out by people with stroke and PD to help self-manage symptoms of their condition. Participation is perceived as an enjoyable activity which improves mood, voice and language symptoms. CST may enable access to specialist music therapy and speech language therapy protocols within community frameworks.
authors.affiliation: a Science Communication Unit, University of the West of England , Bristol , UK .|b Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand .
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fogg-Rogers
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand .
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buetow
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand .
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talmage
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand .|c Department of Speech Science , School of Psychology, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand , and.
authors.forename: Clare M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand .|c Department of Speech Science , School of Psychology, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand , and.
authors.forename: Sylvia H S
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Leão
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand .
authors.forename: Lynette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tippett
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand .|c Department of Speech Science , School of Psychology, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand , and.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: d Person Centred Research Centre, AUT University , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand .|c Department of Speech Science , School of Psychology, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand , and.
authors.forename: Suzanne C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Purdy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009147:Music Therapy; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D063346:Singing; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Aphasia; Choir; Parkinson’s disease; dysarthria; self-management; stroke