Understanding Group Singing in Older Adults with Aphasia from a Biopsychosocial Perspective: A Pilot Study

Social isolation and loneliness are barriers to social wellbeing for many older adults. These barriers may arise due to changes in lifestyle, social groups, and self-perception. Prior research has shown that group singing can improve social connectedness, but there has been limited consideration of older adults with communication disorders. The present pilot study investigated whether 13 weeks of group singing could improve the social connectedness and communicative function of 10 individuals with aphasia. Participants were assessed with regard to psychosocial wellbeing, self-perception of their disorder, and speech production. In addition, their cortisol levels and pain thresholds were analysed to investigate the potential sociobiological basis of psychosocial effects. Results showed positive increases in psychological wellbeing but no changes in social wellbeing. Physiological findings were inconclusive. Social wellbeing showed positive trends which may indicate that more choir sessions are needed to foster social connection.