TO STUDY AND EVALUATE THE PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTs IN INDIAN CLASSICAL SINGERS AND COMPARE THEM WITH THAT OF NON-SINGERS

*Dr. Shivali Barwal, Dr. Yuvraj Gharu, Dr. Minoo Sharma and Dr. Luxmi Gharu

ABSTRACT

An Observational Retrospective Cohort Study titled ―To study the effects of Indian Classical Singing on cardiac and pulmonary parameters‖ was conducted in the department of Physiology, IGMC, Shimla. Singing has been associated with physiological effects, including changes in both the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. The pulmonary parameters evaluated in this study are the PFTs, mainly FVC, FEV1, FVC%, FEV1%. Studies of classical singers have shown that they tend to begin phrases at high lung volumes and end at low lung volumes.[1] Singing requires increased initiation volumes, closer to 70% to 100% VC, than either speaking (60% VC) or breathing at rest (40% VC).[2] The increasing strength of expiratory muscles is a probable reason for the increasing vital capacity in the singers group. Aim of current study was to study and evaluate the PFTs in Indian classical singers and compare them with that of non-singers. Material and Method: For the study group 45 trained Indian classical singers were selected from the degree colleges, private musical academies of Shimla and Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. In the control group 45 age and sex matched subjects were included from amongst healthy volunteers (from IGMC or Degree colleges). PFTs were measured by using an electronic portable PC based spirometer with printer (MODEL-VITALOGRAPH COMPACT-II, BUCKINGHAM, ENGLAND) spirometer. The data was evaluated statistically. Results: Significant improvement in the PFTs is seen after regular practice of singing especially the Indian classical singing as hypothesised in the present study. Conclusions: In the light of the results in the current study, it appears reasonable to conclude that the professional singers who have an increased potential for singing, the pulmonary and cardiovascular parameters are influenced to a great extent. There is growing interest in Singing for Lung Health (SLH), an approach where patients with respiratory disease take part in singing groups, intended to improve their condition.[3]

Keywords: PFTs, FVC, FEV1, FVC%, FEV1%.