A Breath of Fresh Air:
How a Community Group Uses Singing to Treat a Respiratory Condition
What comes to mind when we think of creativity?
A painter in their studio, perhaps. Or maybe a writer at their desk.
Less often do we consider the many ways in which we can use creativity to solve problems and to innovate.
The Cheyne Gang is doing just that - a singing group set up to help sufferers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) manage their respiratory condition.
All images and videos courtesy of the Cheyne Gang
The collective had trialed its first singing group with transformative results. Following funding from Creative Scotland, a further 10 singing group leaders received training in singing for breathing techniques, providing more support for COPD sufferers across the country.
COPD is a respiratory condition that causes obstruction or destruction of the lung tissue, making it difficult for oxygen to travel to the blood. This in turn causes severe shortness of breath.
It is primarily older adults that suffer from the condition, although COPD can also impact middle-aged people. Smokers, ex-smokers and people exposed to harmful airborne pollutants, including former miners, are at high risk of contracting the disease.
The results of COPD can be debilitating. Long-term sufferers often require extensive medical treatment, including oxygen therapy.
They are likely to experience mobility loss as the condition worsens.
In addition to the physical symptoms of the disease, COPD can lead to mental health decline caused by social isolation as sufferers struggle to leave their homes or hospital wards.
While there is sadly no cure for the chronic condition, founders of the Cheyne Gang realised that it was possible to help alleviate the physical and mental side effects of COPD through singing exercises.
The Cheyne Gang was formed in 2013 by practice nurses Pauline Waugh, Annie Richie and Sarah Marshall. While caring for patients with COPD - and noticing the low quality of life those with the condition experienced - the trio wanted to explore complimentary methods alongside drug-based treatments.
Having stumbled upon some research noting the benefits of singing to alleviate respiratory conditions, the group decided to experiment by forming a singing group for patients.
They Cheyne Gang at the Scottish Parliament in October 2018
"Singing is all about breathing," explains co-founder Pauline Waugh. "To sing we use the abdominal muscles to help support the breath.”
Facilitated by a singing group leader, volunteer patients participated in the trial project, where they were "taught singing from the core which encourages efficient breathing by stealth,” as Pauline puts it.
"Often, COPD sufferers can't breathe out enough air, meaning there is less room in their lungs when they breathe in.
"Using natural breathing techniques, our singing group leader taught the patients how to extend their out-breath, helping to take deeper breaths in by releasing their abdominal muscles.”
While the group's primary purpose is to teach efficient breathing techniques, it has also provided social support for several patients.
"Singing with The Cheyne Gang is a creative and social outlet for many of our members," Pauline explains. "Often, they've been stuck inside and unable to do things that you or I might take for granted.
"The Cheyne Gang gives our members access to their own community, where they can experience the joys of singing and socialising”
- Pauline Waugh, Lead Cheyne Gang Co-ordinator
Importantly, the group is a space for members to enjoy themselves. "We have fun!" says Pauline.
"We sometimes write our own songs or modify old classics to suit people with breathing conditions. It's been great seeing our members singing together and enjoying each other’s company again since we returned to face-to-face sessions post-COVID-19."
The group commissioned its own research into the benefits of singing for breathing and established the need to train more singing group leaders on specific breathing techniques for those with respiratory conditions.
The Cheyne Gang applied to Creative Scotland for funding to train singing group leaders.
Following a successful application, they designed a training course that taught practitioners in arts and health about specific breathing and singing techniques for people with respiratory conditions, including COPD.
They trained ten of these arts and health practitioners, allowing them to take the singing group concept beyond Edinburgh to other council areas. The group's count now stands at around 150 – 200, with members across Scotland, including the borders and the Highlands, and with interest for new groups in the Highlands, Fife and Dumfries and Galloway.
Pauline explains: "When treating patients, we need to consider their lives in context. Our standard medical approach is vital to treat patients - but it's one of many tools in our arsenal. We need to use a whole host of approaches to truly improve patients' lives.
"A creative approach like singing is a great way to address some of the issues that the traditional medical route can't. Problems like social isolation, loneliness, low confidence - these are all things that contribute to health decline, but we can't resolve them with medicine alone."
With six groups now in operation across Scotland, The Cheyne Gang hopes to support more people with COPD.
It's also looking at ways to help people experiencing respiratory problems due to long-COVID and has created a multidisciplinary support website to be launched in August.
The impact of the singing group upon its members has been truly transformative.
On their experience, one Cheyne Gang member commented:
"Singing means calmness, confidence and courage. It brings us joy and laughter - and I feel healthier."
Another stated:
"Since joining the group my breathing has improved very much. I don't have as many chest infections or need to use steroids. I now breathe from my stomach instead of my chest, and no raised shoulders. I don't panic any longer when I can't get a breath."
Another member said, poignantly:
"I'm no longer afraid to go to sleep at night."
Through the group's members, we catch a glimpse of the lived impact of creative approaches. Using innovative techniques to solve real-world problems can change peoples' lives for the better.
Creativity can take so many forms - when it's used to make a real difference, it's all the more moving.