A Pilot Study of Pursed-Lip Breathing, Singing, and Kazoo Playing on Lung Function and Perceived Exertion of Participants Who Smoke

Abstract

ABSTRACT Smoking is the leading cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Symptoms of COPD include a persistent cough and dyspnea. Currently, music therapy protocols relating to COPD are therapist dependent and exceed 5-minutes. This pilot study examined if a 5- minute intervention of pursed lip breathing, singing or playing kazoo affected lung functioning or perceived physical exertion. Participants reported which interventions they found to be most helpful for breathing and whether they would choose to participate in those interventions either alone or with a music therapist. Participants completed a pre-intervention spirometry reading, all three 5-minute interventions (pursed lip breathing, singing, and kazoo playing) randomized to reduce order effect, and a post-intervention spirometry. Participants completed the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion after each intervention and a post-intervention questionnaire. Participants ranked the interventions in order of which was perceived to be the most helpful for breathing. Mean results indicated pursed-lip breathing decreased the lung functioning while both singing and kazoo playing increased the lung functioning. The Ratings of Perceived Exertion results had minimal differences among interventions. Participants stated they would be willing to complete an intervention alone on a daily basis with three times a day being the most common answer. Participants ranked all three interventions similarly as being the most helpful to their breathing. Each music based 5-minute intervention (singing and playing kazoo) demonstrated a trend toward a positive change in lung functioning. The participants rated their perceived exertion as low with minimal change for all three interventions. Keywords: COPD, lung function, singing, kazoo, smoking