Choral singing for just 1 hour increases the immune system in people suffering from cancer, reduces stress and improves mood, which in turn can have a positive impact on overall health. The study raises the possibility that singing in choir rehearsals could help put people in the best possible position to receive treatment, maintain remission, and support cancer patients.

Lowering Cortisol

The study tested 193 members of five different choirs. The results showed that singing, for an hour, was accompanied by significant reduction in stress hormones, such as cortisol, and increase in the amounts of cytokines (proteins of the immune system), which can strengthen the body's ability to fight a serious illness. Dr. Ian Lewis, director of research and policy at Tenovus Cancer Care and co-author of the study, said: “These are really exciting findings. We've built up a body of evidence over the past six years to show that singing in a choir can have a range of social, emotional, and psychological benefits, and now we can see that it has biological effects as well. We have long heard anecdotal evidence that singing in a choir makes people feel good, but this is the first time it has been shown to immune system may be affected by singing. It's really exciting and could improve the way we support people with cancer in the future.”

Strengthen immune system

The study also showed that people with the lowest levels of mental well-being and the highest levels of depression experience the greatest mood improvement associated with lower levels of inflammation in the body. There is a link between high levels of inflammation and serious illness. Choir members gave samples of their saliva before an hour of singing, and then again just after. The samples were analysed to see changes in a number of hormones, immune proteins, neuropeptides, and receptors. Dr. Daisy Fancourt, research associate at the Center for Performance Science, a partnership between the Royal College of Music and Imperial College London and co-author of the study, said: “Many people with cancer may experience mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. Research has shown that this immune activity can suppress, at a time when patients need as much support as they can get from their immune system . This research is exciting because it suggests that an activity as simple as singing can reduce some of this immune system, stress-induced suppression, which helps improve well-being and quality of life in patients and places them in the best position to get a undergo treatment.”

Loading full article...