Singing Intervention for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

NCT07563283 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: STUDY00160422
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 5
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Why is this study being done? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) causes airflow blockage creating breathing issues, distress, and lower well-being. COPD also causes hyperinflation of the lungs. The investigators are doing the study to learn more about improving lung function for patients with COPD by using voice-based experiences. What is being tested in this study? If singing/vocalizing can improve lung function. How long will I be in the study? The study will last 4 weeks and involve 2 in-person visits to KUMC with virtual vocal sessions two times a week over Zoom.

Conditions

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Keywords

music; singing; small airways disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Quantitative Computed Tomography (qCT) Air Trapping

  Functional Small Airways Disease Percent (range 0-100), indicating non-emphysematous air trapping percentage (fSAD) as lung volume percent of low attenuation areas below a radiodensity of -856 Hounsfield units (HU) on expiratory computed tomography (CT) and above -950HU on inspiratory CT. Higher values indicate greater air trapping and worse lung function.

  Change from baseline after four weeks of the EMPOWER intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)

  Change from baseline after four weeks of the EMPOWER intervention

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT)

  Change from baseline after four weeks of the EMPOWER intervention

Study Arms (1)

4-week singing intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Individual virtual singing sessions with a board-certified music therapist designed to target complete exhalation and reduce air trapping

Behavioral: singing intervention for COPD

Interventions

singing intervention for COPD BEHAVIORAL

Using the Therapeutic Function of Music Plan, this individually tailored music therapy used singing and vocal exercises, guided by a board-certified music therapist, to aid in complete exhalation and reduce air trapping that occurs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Also known as: Engaging Music for Pulmonary Obstruction With Expiratory Restoration (EMPOWER)

4-week singing intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Participants 18 years of age or older
• Diagnosis of COPD
• Airflow obstruction and resting hyperinflation of the lung
• Able to hear within normal range with correction if needed

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy will be excluded for CT imaging safety and radiation safety
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Kansas Medical Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Kansas Medical Center

Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Chronic Disease; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Rebecca J Lepping, PhD

  University of Kansas Medical Center

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 13, 2026
• First Posted: May 4, 2026
• Study Start: July 25, 2024
• Primary Completion: November 26, 2024
• Study Completion: November 26, 2024
• Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

US (1)