Choirs for adults with neurological disorders: A review of benefits and local interest survey results

Abstract

Research is emerging about an exciting approach to communication challenges. Music therapists and speech language pathologists have begun to collaborate in activities referred to as neurological choirs. Known by other names such as aphasia choirs, neurological choirs are community singing groups made up of participants with various neurological challenges. These could be the result of strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or degenerative diseases and lead to difficulties with communication. Examples of such conditions include aphasia, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease, among others. Several research studies have already been conducted on the topic of neurological choirs. The current project reviews the scholarly literature on possible benefits and drawbacks of neurological choirs and suggests areas for future research and implementation. Although further research is needed to determine the full scope of benefits of these choirs on functional communication, there is preliminary evidence of improvements in well-being and potential for great success in conjunction with other therapies. The current project also surveys individuals with neurological disorders and their care partners to determine interest levels and factors that might influence participation. The literature review and results from the survey will be included in the research presentation. Additionally, high-quality future research studies and the expansion of neurological choirs will be proposed and discussed.