SUMMARY:
This research was conducted by Gunter Kreutz, Stephan Bongard, Sonja Rohrmann, Volker Hodapp and Dorothee Grebe at Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Germany (now at the University of Oldenburg, Germany). The research compared the levels of immunoglobulin A (S-IgA), cortisol and emotional states of people after they had participated in a choir practice with when they had simply listened to choral music.
The research found that (compared to listening) those engaged in group singing increased their positive mood and levels of S-IgA. Since depletion of S-IgA is associated with tiring and stressful states, and S-IgA is crucial ‘as the body’s first line of defence against bacterial and viral infections of the upper respiratory pathway’ this means that if music enhances S-IgA levels then it could be an important means of relieving stress and improving health.
SOURCES:
CultureCase: http://www.culturecase.org/research/2014/04/singing-can-help-the-immune-system-and-improve-mood/
Journal of Behavioral Medicine, Volume 27, Issue 6, pp 623-635 / Springer: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10865-004-0006-9
DETAILS:
| BENEFIT: | Wellbeing, health, reduced stress |
| TARGET GROUP: | Adults |
| AGE: | 29-74 years |
| MUSIC TYPE: | Choir |
| TYPE OF STUDY: | Academic research |
| NOs INVOLVED: | 31 |
| PERIOD OF STUDY: | 2 weeks |
| DATE: | 2004 |
| PLACE: | Germany |
