Updated on March 4, 2022
Be adventurous; try choral singing! Just as friends recommend a good restaurant, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) recommend us to sing for our wellbeing. Try it as you would try a new dish or a new restaurant.
Society is now increasingly aware of the need to lower the impact of age-related cognitive decline. Singapore is one of the fastest ageing countries. Furthermore, Singaporeans live longer than most people in the world. There is a belief singing has a salubrious effect on our health. It is based on the observation that people engaged in lifelong music-making have better mental functions later in life. In addition, choral singing improves psychological wellbeing (such as better morale, less loneliness, and reduced anxiety and depression).
The Department of Psychological Medicine, NUS, has published a research paper comparing the effects of choral singing on cognitive decline to a structured health education programme. The study population consisted of 93 older Singaporeans. The average age of the participants was about 70 years. These individuals were at high risk of future dementia and were divided into two groups: 47 were assigned to choral singing, and 46 were assigned to a health education program. Participants attended weekly one-hour choral singing or weekly one-hour education for two years.
After two years, the change in cognitive function was measured by psychological testing, blood tests, and brain scans. Based on these results, the researchers concluded that choral singing was effective in delaying cognitive decline compared to a structured health education programme.
What does the result mean for the Singaporeans? We now have another way of dealing with the problem. The traditional method of dementia prevention is health education targeting the people at risk (for example diabetics, hypertensives and smokers). Singing could be a more enjoyable choice for people to help themselves take ownership of their health.
There are many opportunities to sing. Having a choice implies that the option is available. Search, and you will find! One possible way of getting started is to join the community choir organised by the Voices of Singapore. The mission of VOS is to build a singing Singapore. (“Imagine a Singapore where…thousands of people of all social and ethnic backgrounds sing together for pleasure, friendship and joy with songs of home, hope, love, and life. “). We also get to know people who may provide us with further ideas in savouring the joys of living through singing!
I can personally recommend singing. I started singing after I retired. Singing itself is good for our brain, our mind. When we sing in groups, we also harvest social health benefits! And like everything else, we can all learn to sing.
Be Happy! Just Sing!
Reference
L Feng et al. Effects of choral singing versus health education on cognitive decline and ageing: a randomized controlled trial. Aging 2020, Vol 12, No 24 Pages 24799-24816
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
