IBAS − Institute for Breathing and Sleep

Music is the best medicine

Using singing and virtual reality to change lives

This project is developing a proof-of-concept online virtual reality platform designed to deliver telehealth group singing interventions for people with quadriplegia to improve respiratory function, voice, mood, and social connectedness.

Quadriplegia is the reduction or loss of function in the arms, trunk, legs and pelvic organs as a result of cervical spinal cord injury. Respiratory dysfunction is a major cause of illness and death following quadriplegia. Previous clinical research has demonstrated that group singing can help people with quadriplegia to breathe better, speak louder and to make social connections.

Many of the motivational and emotional benefits come from singing with others rather than in isolation. Disproportionately high numbers of people with quadriplegia live in rural and remote areas; areas often poorly served by traditional health services however, telehealth is becoming an accessible and cost-effective means to treat patients in their homes.

Posted 8 years ago