Evaluation of a Choir as a Non-Medical Intervention for Children with Asthma: BreathStars

ABSTRACT

A shift in the current health policy has seen heightened focus on non-medical interventions which can be delivered out with formal health-care settings, to complement and enhance the clinical care of people with long-term conditions. Asthma is a common long-term condition managed by pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Recent research activity has focused on the use of singing for respiratory health due to its similarity with the more well-known intervention of breathing exercises. The aim of this study was to determine if singing improved breathing in children with asthma. A realist evaluation study design with a mixed methods approach was adopted to evaluate a singing group for children aged 7–12. Results obtained through framework analysis of the data indicated notable improvement in asthma control with the added impact on self-esteem. Enjoyment of the singing group within a family centered approach was seen as a positive alongside the community benefit of wider asthma education. Lessons can be learnt from this evaluation which could inform future initiatives relevant to the current agenda of asset-based approaches such as social prescribing within the context of the current devolution of the health and social care budget in the North West of England.

KEYWORDS:

• Asthma
• children
• singing
• impact
• BreathStars asset-based approach
• social prescribing

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Salford Clinical Commissioning Group, Salford Community and Voluntary Services, and the National Lottery Wards for All for providing the matched funding for both the intervention and the evaluation. We also thank Unlimited Potential, Brightness Management Limited, and The Hallé as partners in delivering BreathStars.

Declaration of interest statement

Heather Henry is a Director of Brightness Management and received funding from and the National Lottery Wards for All in her role as project manager.

Notes

1. http://dclgapps.communities.gov.uk/imd/idmap.html.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was provided by Salford Clinical Commissioning Group as part of its Little Pot of Innovation Fund 2017 and Awards for All (Big Lottery Fund).