Northwestern University

12/17/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 12/17/2024 11:16

‘It’s better to sing than to take a pill every day’

'It's better to sing than to take a pill every day'

Northwestern researchers explore whether music and singing can help young hearts heal
December 17, 2024 | By Stephen J. Lewis
While singing has shown benefits for adults with chronic obstructive lung disease and cystic fibrosis, its impact on children with heart disease has not been studied - until now. Thus, the concept of a "Fontan Choir" was born. Photos by Jan Terry, Lurie Children's Hospital

Singing has long been celebrated for its ability to lift spirits. But could it also have healing powers?

In a groundbreaking collaboration between the Bienen School of Music and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, researchers are exploring whether music and singing can deliver measurable benefits for the heart.

This pioneering study focuses on more than a dozen children who have undergone Fontan surgery, a procedure designed to address a congenital heart defect. These young patients were all born with a single pumping chamber in their hearts, which limits their cardiac output. Increasing blood flow to the lungs is critically important for their health and quality of life.

Enter Sarah Bartolome, a Bienen music education professor and the driving force behind the Music for Childhood Well-Being Initiative. This global project investigates the use of music as therapy for children facing trauma and mental health challenges. When Bartolome learned that Dr. Andy Pelech, a pediatric cardiologist at Lurie Children's, was interested in how breathwork could benefit young patients with heart defects, she immediately saw the potential for a transformative collaboration.

"Dr. Pelech learned we were using music with children," Bartolome explained, "and thought that if we teach these kids [with heart defects] to sing, they could potentially live longer and experience better health outcomes."

While singing has shown benefits for adults with chronic obstructive lung disease and cystic fibrosis, its impact on children with heart disease has not been studied - until now. Thus, the concept of a "Fontan Choir" was born.

Over eight weeks in the fall, 16 children and their families gathered at the Bienen School for an innovative choir program. Each session included singing lessons led by Bienen graduate student Stephanie Gregoire and post-rehearsal interviews by Lurie Children's clinicians. The rehearsals were bookended by clinical tests such as cardiac step tests and spirometry to measure lung function. Researchers are now analyzing the data to determine whether the program improved blood flow and lung function.

Despite the small sample size, Pelech is optimistic.

"Even if it's difficult to quantify the heart health improvements, we've already seen incredible benefits in other ways," he said. "During the first rehearsals, the children were introverted. Now, they're talking to each other and showing noticeable increases in self-esteem and confidence."

Bartolome, who has witnessed similar transformations in other music programs, agrees. "When we use music to cultivate a community, the bond that forms helps kids develop confidence they might not have had before. They feel safe enough to share their voices and perspectives," she noted.

Parents of the children, many of whom have endured years of surgeries and challenges, have called the experience life changing. Amy Daly, whose son Joshua participated in the choir, described the impact.

"Before the Fontan Choir, Joshua often asked, 'Why am I the only one?' Since joining, he hasn't said that once. He's met other kids who understand what he's going through," she said.

Over eight weeks in the fall, 16 children and their families gathered at the Bienen School for an innovative choir program. Each session included singing lessons led by Bienen graduate student Stephanie Gregoire and post-rehearsal interviews by Lurie Children's clinicians. Photos by Jan Terry, Lurie Children's Hospital

Roxio Valencia, whose daughter Leylani has had multiple brain and heart surgeries, noticed similar benefits. "Leylani's confidence has soared. She's more outspoken, and she's singing all the time now," she said.

The program culminated in a December performance, during which the Fontan Choir sang for parents and supporters, delivering renditions of songs, including "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" and "This Is Me."

Looking ahead, Bartolome and Pelech are eager to expand the initiative.

"The goal is to conduct three clinical trials next year to build on the feasibility work we've done," Bartolome said. "We're committed to gathering more data to show that group singing and breathwork can improve health outcomes for Fontan patients."

Pelech summed up the vision: "It's better to sing than to take a pill every day. If we can demonstrate long-term improvements in lung function, this could become a mainstay of therapy. That's the dream."

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