A singing program which has improved communication for people with parkinson’s disease celebrates its tenth anniversary

A world first study out of Victoria aimed at improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease has celebrated its 10th anniversary.

A decade after revolutionary research into Parkinson’s disease was launched in Melbourne’s west, its participants remain as committed as ever to continue the work that has “changed lives”.

Fight Parkinson’s Parkinsong program celebrated its 10th anniversary this week, with the study launched out of Williamstown to research whether group singing sessions could improve the speech and wellbeing of people diagnosed with the disease.

The study found that singing was a successful way to improve speech loudness and voice-related quality of life for participants.

Despite the research project officially ending years ago its participants have continued meeting, with there now being ten parkinsong groups and 200 members across Victoria.

Steven Dunn, a member of parkinsong Ashwood, was diagnosed with parkinson’s seven years ago.

He said not only could he notice an increase in confidence but improvements in the strength of his voice as a result of singing regularly.

“It hits pretty hard when the doctor tells you [that you’ve been diagnosed],” he said.

“But the beauty of parkinsong is that you‘re with people with the same condition and it makes it feel that you’re in a safe environment. You can sing without fear or being self conscious of having a tremor.

“One of the symptoms of Parkinson’s over time is that your voice starts to diminish in volume and strength and your ability to get the words out is becomes harder.

“Singing I think it’s helped me maintain my voice. I find speaking a little bit more difficult than it used to be but I think it would be a lot worse if I wasn’t singing”.

The groups meet monthly, with all sessions including a vocal warm up, singing and a social catch up afterwards.

Fight Parkinson’s clinical health and community services manager Victor Mcconvey said it is “amazing” to see the programs thriving after the study concluded.

“We‘ve now got from one group in Williamstown, which is our foundation group, to over 10 groups across Victoria,” he said,

“Parkinson‘s is a condition that really can impact on communication and people might lose voice strength and voice volume. Parkinsong is a great way of overcoming it, because you’re in a room where no one is actually going to ask you ‘what’s wrong with you?’ because you’re connected by a common diagnosis”.

Members of Parkinsong groups capped off celebrations its by performing at Federation Square last Sunday at Fight Parkinson’s A Walk in the Park.