Study finds benefits of singing for older people

A study into community singing for older people has found it has noticeable wellbeing and mental health benefits. By monitoring five singing groups made up of those over sixty years of age against a control group, the research shows that the singing group recorded better health both immediately and three months after the project’s completion. Through a series of questionnaires, those in the signing groups recorded benefits such as increased sociability and improvement in breathing. The researchers, from Canterbury Christchurch University, suggest that community singing may be as cost effective as running health promotion campaigns.