Usefulness of harmonica playing to improve outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Issue 2 (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hart, Mary K.; Stewardson, Elizabeth; Jamil, Aayla K.; Tecson, Kristen M.; Millard, Mark W.
• Is Part Of: Proceedings. Volume 33:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 178
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Breathing exercises -- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- dyspnea -- harmonica playing -- music therapy -- pulmonary rehabilitation -- respiratory therapy -- shortness of breath -- six-minute walk -- spirometry; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Medicine -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2019.1704135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-8280

Abstract

Abstract: Pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes a multidisciplinary approach of exercise and pursed-lip diaphragmatic breathing. Pursed-lip diaphragmatic breathing reduces alveolar collapse during exhalation, and diaphragmatic breathing improves inspiratory pressures. Harmonica playing has maneuvers similar to those taught in pursed-lip diaphragmatic breathing, with diaphragmatic breathing to create musical tones. Hence, we designed a trial to determine whether patients with COPD would benefit from harmonica playing. COPD patients who completed pulmonary rehabilitation at least 6 months prior were eligible for this trial. Patients attended 12 weeks of harmonica training sessions for 2 hours a week and were encouraged to practice at home. Participants completed pre- and postspirometry testing, maximum inspired and expired pressure (PImax, PEmax) testing, and 6-minute walk tests. Eleven of the 14 participants completed the 12-week trial. PImax and PEmax increased by an average of 15.4 ± 12.0 cm H2 O ( P = 0.0017) and 14.4 ± 14.0 cm H2 O ( P = 0.0061), respectively. Additionally, 6-minute walk distance increased by approximately 60 m (61 ± 78, P = 0.03). This pilot study showed that a 12-week harmonica program significantly improved PImax, PEmax, and 6-minute walk distance in COPD patients after rehabilitation. Larger-scale harmonica studies are warranted to evaluate this program's adjunctive potential benefit to formal pulmonary rehabilitation.