Systematic Review: Singing-Based Interventions to Improve Physical Functions Related to Aging Voice in Older Adults

Abstract

<p>Purpose: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of singing aintervention for aging voice. Method: Quantitative studies of interventions for older adults with any medcondition that involves singing as training were reviewed, measured by resption, phonation, and posture, which are the physical functions related to aging voice. English and Chinese studies published until April 2024 wsearched using 31 electronic databases, and seven studies were included. included articles were assessed according to the Grading of RecommendatioAssessment, Development, and Evaluations rubric. Results: Seven studies were included. These studies reported outcome msures that were related to respiratory functions only. For the intervention efstatistically significant improvements were observed in five of the included sties, among which three studies had large effect sizes. The overall level of dence of the included studies was not high, with three studies having modlevels and the rest having lower levels. The intervention activities included tings other than singing. These non-singing training items may have caused intervention bias in the study results. Conclusions: This systematic review suggests that singing as an interventfor older adults with respiratory and cognitive problems could improve resption and respiratory–phonatory control. However, none of the included studcovers the other two of the physical functions related to aging voice (phonand postural functions). The overall level of evidence of the included stuwas not high either. There is a need for more research evidence in sinbased intervention specifically for patient with aging voice.<br></p>