Pioneering project by Welsh National Opera suggests music can alleviate chronic pain
Wales is famed as the land of song, the music of the valleys and mountains providing a source of pride, joy and a sense of belonging.
But a pioneering project led by Welsh National Opera has suggested music can also help people suffering with persistent pain.
Participants in a pain management programme run by WNO with NHS Wales reported that singing and taking part in breathing exercises in sessions run by vocal experts eased their symptoms.
An independent report on the Wellness with WNO persistent pain pilot programme has reported that two-thirds of people who took part in a study of the programme's effectiveness reported decreases in pain and a similar number said their mental health had improved.
Those who had taken part had no illusions that they had been cured of chronic illnesses but said the programme had helped them manage their pain by giving them techniques to deal with it.
June Evans, 67, from Llandrindod Wells in mid Wales, who has a number of serious illnesses including a heart condition, said the programme, funded by the Welsh government, had changed her life.
'Before I took part I felt my life was over. I was anxious and frightened. I only went out of the house for hospital appointments. I was hopeless. What was the point in carrying on? I couldn't do anything, go anywhere, enjoy anything.'
She had not known what to expect from the course, which takes place, via Zoom. 'I'd not done any singing before; I'm not the sort who's been in choirs so I was a bit nervous about it.'
But she enjoyed the singing, which ranged from a little light opera to folk songs and anthems. Home on the Range and Don't Worry Be Happy were among her favourites. 'Your microphone is muted so you can sing your heart out.
'You learn techniques on how to cope with the pain. I've sort of tamed the pain, whereas it used to control me. It's made me a different person. I now go out to the park. I'm now happy going outside. It's brought a joy back into my life. And I'm getting closer to being the person I was before all my illnesses hit me.'
Jenny Pearson, a professional singer and one of the programme's vocal leaders, said she was delighted but not wholly surprised by the results.
'Singers have always known singing makes us feel good. Singing in a nice safe environment can have an impact on someone's life.'
Sessions begin with head and neck exercises to stretch out the neck and head, then move on to breathing techniques, the aim to target the parasympathetic nervous system. There is a break to listen to music – often the Humming Chorus from Puccini's Madama Butterfly – and then the singing begins in earnest. So far almost 50 people have taken part.
Milestone Tweed, which carried out the research, said there were 'substantial improvements in pain management, mental and emotional health, and overall quality of life'.
It said: 'Surprisingly, some participants reported that this was the first intervention that had given them significant pain relief. While participants did not expect their chronic conditions to be cured, the sessions helped them to manage pain and improve daily functionality.'
Owen Hughes, national clinical lead for persistent pain, NHS Wales, said: 'Several participants have said that they've gone on to join choirs and some are looking to return to work. The power of music and song has really made a difference to their lives.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Welshpool Rotaract train up more community lifesavers
Thirteen more people have been trained in basic lifesaving skills in Welshpool. The initiative, run by Welshpool Rotaract, aims to equip as many people as possible with the ability to perform effective CPR and use public access defibrillators. The recent training session, held at The Royal Oak Hotel, was attended by 13 people who were taught how to react in the event of a cardiac arrest. The training was conducted by Welsh Ambulance Community Responder Effie Cadwallader and included practical exercises using dummies and training defibrillators. The session aimed to instil confidence in attendees, enabling them to sustain life until paramedics arrive. The community project is focused on training people in various locations across Welshpool, including villages, church halls, pubs, and schools. The goal is to empower people to become 'life savers' within their communities. The trained individuals now have the skills and confidence to use defibrillators placed around the community in accessible boxes on walls and in repurposed telephone kiosks. Rotaract expressed gratitude to The Royal Oak Hotel management for providing the Powis Suite for the session. Welshpool Rotaract is now inviting more people to participate in their free training sessions. Those interested can contact Mike Lade via phone 07803 038858, email welshpoolrotaract@ or through their website The new Rotaract club is also welcoming anyone interested in learning more about their activities to join their meetings. These are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at The Old Bakehouse.
Business News Wales
20 hours ago
- Business News Wales
The Role of the Welsh Active Offer in Person-Centred Care
The care home industry is designed to support those in need with the care they require to improve their quality of life, and this can cover a whole spectrum of circumstances. While taking care of residents' health and medical needs is of course a priority, those working in the industry should also take the time to recognise and nurture the person behind the diagnosis or disability. Quality of life is about more than standard measures of physical ability or comfort, and encompasses recognition of individual needs, personality traits and backgrounds. This person-centred approach puts individuals at the heart of planning and monitoring their care and development, thus ensuring the service is tailored to their unique needs and achieves the best possible outcomes. Working collaboratively with residents and their families means care providers can really get to know those they are caring for and gain a deeper understanding of what's important to them, their culture, lifestyle and values, and can therefore provide a more empathetic, tailored and overall, a better-quality of support. Effective communication is critical is building these relationships, and in the case of Welsh care homes, striving to deliver on the Active Offer can go a long way in building a sense of trust and belonging. That said, what is the Welsh Active Offer and what role can it play in a care home environment? What is the Welsh Active Offer? As part of the Welsh government's 'More than just words' strategic framework for promoting the Welsh language in health and social care, the Active Offer is a key element of the Welsh Language Standards that is designed to make the Welsh language as visible and heard as the English language. The Welsh Active Offer means care services are provided in Welsh without a resident having to ask for this specifically, meaning the language is incorporated into the home's operations and no assumptions are made about Welsh speakers' ability, or desire, to speak English. This is rooted in the belief that if a care home resident is a Welsh speaker, being able to use their own language should be a core component of their care, and not an afterthought. This is even more important if an individual becomes unwell, as they more often rely more strongly on their (first) language of choice. Recent reports show that the percentage of people able to speak Welsh is the lowest recorded in more than eight years, sitting at around 27.7 per cent, but this does not mean that the importance of communicating with people in their first language becomes any less important. The Welsh Active Offer is hugely important if we are to deliver the care residents in Wales want, deserve and should rightly expect. We need a culture change to incorporate this initiative and take the responsibility away from patients having to request this service as an 'add on'. Providing support and comfort It can be easy to overlook the power of language, particularly in busy, stressful environments such as care homes. But studies have shown that communicating in a patient's mother tongue can significantly improve the quality of care in a healthcare setting and reduce any miscommunication or related suffering. The Welsh Active offer and person-centred care are designed to create the right environment to empower residents to feel in control, but if there is any form of communication breakdown, this can be difficult to achieve. Residents may need to discuss sensitive topics with their care providers, and this is much easier to do in a language they are confident in and comfortable with. Having Welsh speaking staff on hand can put residents at ease in challenging situations, giving them the confidence needed to express themselves. Anticipating the needs of Welsh speakers, instead of waiting for them to ask for a Welsh service, can also build a sense of trust in the care they are receiving. Keeping culture alive Moving into a care home can often be a culture shock, particularly for elderly people who have been used to a lifetime of independence in their own home. Adjusting to new surroundings, routines and people can be difficult and disorientating, and many residents benefit from familiar touches that help to anchor and settle them into a new environment. Considering a resident's culture and background is key here, and providing access to activities that promote Welsh language and culture puts them at the heart of the service. For instance, providing books in the Welsh language, singing or listening to Welsh songs or offering opportunities to celebrate key sporting events and national days can help residents keep that crucial bond with their culture, going beyond basic care provisions. This may seem like a simple step, but providing this access can go a long way to helping care home residents feel a sense of belonging and in nurturing their individual personalities. Reducing isolation Loneliness and isolation is sadly on the rise amongst people of all ages, and according to the National Survey for Wales, around 91,000 of older people in Wales feel 'consistently' lonely. Living in a care home can unfortunately be an isolating experience for some residents who move away from the family and friends they are used to spending their time with, and who may find it difficult to forge new bonds with fellow residents. Being unable to communicate in their preferred language will inevitably make this feeling of isolation more prominent, and it's up to care providers to make sure all residents feel included and valued. Even if all staff aren't fluent in Welsh, learning a few words and phrases can bring joy and provide comfort to those Welsh speakers who may feel lonely. It's also important to ensure that all signage and information throughout the home is provided in Welsh to set residents up for the best possible outcomes. Failing to do so not only runs the risk of further isolating residents, but could potentially be dangerous. Putting people at the heart of the care service is all about recognising them for the person they are, and language is a huge part of this. Final thoughts Delivering truly person-centred care in Welsh care homes may require some adjustments, but the benefits are clear. Incorporating the Welsh Active Offer not only allows care providers to learn more about their residents and provide a better service, but also empowers residents to take control of their care and quality of life. Language barriers can lead to isolation, a loss of culture, and damage to confidence. By taking the time and initiative to accommodate Welsh speakers, better outcomes can be achieved for all. Providing high-quality care is about more than taking care of residents' physical and emotional needs, and by respecting and supporting their unique personalities, cultures and backgrounds, we can work together to create the service they deserve.
Rhyl Journal
21 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Stark inequalities in cancer rates across Wales revealed
The report by Public Health Wales' Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (WCISU) found that people's housing, job, and ethnicity impact cancer incidence rates. To conduct the study, researchers linked all-Wales cancer registry data to Census data, using anonymising techniques to maintain confidentiality. The researchers then analysed the data to determine how cancer rates differed across the Welsh population based on ethnicity, housing type, and job. They found that people living in overcrowded housing had a cancer rate seven times higher than those with two or more spare rooms. Similarly, residents living in social housing had cancer rates nearly three times higher than those owning their homes outright. The study also revealed variances in cancer rates among different ethnic groups. The White population showed the highest overall cancer rates, partly due to the older age of this group. However, people from Mixed ethnic backgrounds were generally diagnosed at a later stage, which could potentially hinder cancer survival. The study also showed that Black men and Asian women were more likely to be diagnosed with prostate and breast cancer, respectively. The study shed light on the type of jobs and their connection with cancer incidence. People in lower-paid and manual jobs, such as process, plant, and machine operatives, had the highest cancer rates. They were also more likely to receive a late-stage cancer diagnosis compared to those in professional roles. Professor Dyfed Wyn Huws, director of the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, said: "This is the first time we've been able to look at unfair inequalities in cancer rates through this level of detail using individual data across the whole of the Welsh population. "It's a major step forward in understanding and reducing cancer inequalities in our society. "It has enabled us to get a much greater level of detail of the socio-demographic factors at play, by looking at individual or household measures of inequality, rather than area-level analysis. "It's a strong baseline for future work and a clear call to action to focus on where cancer and other health inequalities start." Professor Huws added that in many parts of Wales, elements crucial to health and well-being, such as healthy homes, good jobs, sufficient income, community connections, education and skills, and safe, clean environments, are either lacking or inadequate. He said: "Up to four in 10 cases of cancer are potentially preventable amongst the population of Wales as a whole. "Preventing cancer and achieving earlier diagnosis is a priority for everyone in the system." The study used linked data from the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit's national cancer registry and the 2011 Census, via Swansea University's SAIL Databank.
