SINGING Christmas carols may be a great way to get into the festive mood, but for people with breathing problems it could do more than just spread Christmas cheer.

Research has shown taking part in group singing sessions can help relieve the symptoms of conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as well as alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression, which are also common among people with breathing problems.

Private healthcare provider Baywater Healthcare had carried out a study into which carols are most beneficial to those with COPD and similar conditions, with Ding Dong Merrily on High coming top due to the extended ‘o’ sound in ‘Gloria’ in the chorus, which is sustained through a lengthy melodic sequence.

The need to take more breaths and the diaphragmatic exercises required to reach the top notes help maximize lung capacity, while also making the song sound as festive as possible.

The Bing Crosby classic White Christmas came second, followed by nativity carol Silent Night, the upbeat Jingle Bell Rock and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing ranked sixth, followed by the traditional Dona Nobis Pacem, Let it Snow, Oh Holy Night and Walking in a Winter Wonderland.

Nowhere are the benefits of singing for those with breathing difficulties more apparent than in Worcestershire, where patients with COPD have formed a choir to help them cope with their conditions.

The Sing 4 Breath Choir was formed in May by Worcestershire Royal Hospital chaplain and Worcester News columnist Rev David Southall, who said it was “amazing” to see how many people had taken part.

“The only conditions are that you have some form of respiratory disease, including COPD, and that you want to sing,” he said.

“It has been inspiration to see how the choir has developed.

“I’d encourage anyone to come along and try it out.

“Not only is it great fun, you also get to sing and have a laugh with other people.

“We has so many people at the start say that they only sang in the bath or hadn’t sung for years. But once they got started – and with the breathing exercises by the Choir Leader Hilary Davis – they find that not only can they sing but that they and make a fantastic sound together.

“To see these choir members, some with portable oxygen with them, is truly inspirational.”

The choir has performed at a number of events and has received widespread acclaim and Rev Southall said every member had said how much they enjoyed taking part.

“There can be no doubt from what I can see that this choir and the singing they do makes the members feel better,” he said.

“Some of them have even said it has lessened their use of oxygen on the days that they sing.

“And on top of that they get to meet with others, which helps with the isolation which having a progressive illness can often bring about.

“In fact, I sing with this choir and I can honestly say that there is a genuine friendship amongst all of us.

“The very fact that Sing 4 Breath now fund themselves, and organise anything from cake sales to quiz nights to raffles, is a sign of how much it means to the members of the group to keep it going.”

In October Rev Southall and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s clinical lead for COPD Elaine Bevan-Smith were awarded the Chairman’s Special Award at the organisation’s annual awards ceremony for their work setting up the choir.

Anyone interested in getting involved with the Sing 4 Breath Choir can call Rev Southall on 01905 760124.

Vocal coach Phaedra Brickwood said “Research suggests that singing in a group can help COPD suffers to improve their quality of life and help to control their breathing when symptoms flare-up or when experiencing an anxiety attack.

“But for all of us, singing is a great way of putting your lungs to the test.

“It allows us to practice how to use the diaphragm properly and teaches us how to maximise air intake.”

The most common cause of COPD is smoking as it irritates the lungs, resulting in scarring. Over a number of years this can result in permanent changes to the lung, with walls thickening and losing elasticity. This causes feelings of breathlessness, cough and an increase in phlegm.

The condition can also be caused by exposure to fumes, dust and air pollution, as well as genetic disorders, but these cases are much rarer.

COPD generally affects those over the age of 35 and is more common in men than it is in woman, although many are not diagnosed until there are in their 50s.

It is thought there are more than three million people in the UK living with the disease, of which only about 900,000 have been diagnosed. It is responsible for about 25,000 deaths every year.

Medical experts say many with symptoms of the condition do not seek help as they dismiss it as ‘smoker’s cough’.

The two most effective non-medical ways of lessening the symptoms of COPD are stopping smoking and maintaining a healthy weight.

Pulmonary rehabilitation – an exercise programme which improves muscle strength and lung fitness – has also proven effective in helping patients cope with breathing conditions.

For people with mild breathing problems doctors may issue a bronchodilator inhaler, which relaxes the muscles in the airways to make breathing as easy as possible. In some cases steroid inhalers are offered to reduce swelling while medication called a mucolytic can reduce the thickness of phlegm. Some doctors also prescribe anti-biotics to prevent infections, which may be more common for people with COPD.

In more serious cases patients are given oxygen, with some needing treatment for up to 16 hours a day.

Surgery can also be used to treat the condition, but this is rare.

For advice on COPD or other breathing problems talk to your GP.