ABSTRACT
Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects movement, respiration, vocal projection, and speech production. Singing, as a vigorous use of the vocal mechanism, is a unique tool that can help condition the oral, laryngeal, pharyngeal, and breathing mechanisms for speech/voice production, swallowing, and airway protection. In addition, group singing can reduce social isolation and offers participation in a community activity. However, singing is not yet accepted as a valuable rehabilitative tool. A review of the research on the clinical value of singing for PD is followed by a discussion and suggestions for future research.
