title: Group Singing as a Therapy during Diabetes Training--A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
abstract: Comprehensive diabetes treatment has been shown to reduce quality of life in diabetic patients. However, there is evidence to suggest that group singing can have positive effects on quality of life in various clinical settings. In this randomized controlled pilot study, the effect of singing as a therapy to reduce stress and improve quality of life was investigated in insulin-dependent diabetic patients, undergoing a lifestyle intervention program. Patients from the singing group felt less discontented following treatment. This effect, however, was lost after 3 months. No effect on serum cortisol and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels could be seen when comparing the singing group with the control group, although reduced levels of ACTH and cortisol 3 days after treatment could be found and were still present after 3 months within the group of patients who undertook singing as a therapy. Singing led to an increase in bodyweight, which interestingly had no effect on glucose control or methylglyoxal levels. Therefore, singing during a lifestyle intervention program for insulin-dependent diabetic patients had a short lasting and weak effect on patients' mood without affecting glucose control, but no significant effect on stress related hormones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Groener
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Neus
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kopf
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal and Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schanz
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kliemank
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wetekam
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kihm
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal and Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Nawroth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D063346:Singing; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors