Singing: what the research says

There is limited evidence that singing helps mood and wellbeing. There is no good evidence yet that it helps breathing or lung conditions.

What it is

Singing for yourself, alone or with others, for example in a choir or community singing group. This page is not about voice therapy or music therapy.

What the research says

• Mood and wellbeing: Reviews of choirs and singing groups report improved mood and wellbeing, but the studies were small and often biased. In a careful two-year trial with 200 older adults, a weekly choir helped mood and worry no more than a weekly health-education group. Limited evidence · Daykin et al., 2018 · Williams et al., 2018 · Ng et al., 2025
• Low mood after having a baby: In a trial with 199 mothers who had low mood after having a baby, both a 10-week singing group and other mother-and-baby activities helped. At 20 weeks, the singing group's low-mood scores were a little lower. It is one trial. Limited evidence · Bind et al., 2025
• Breathing and lung conditions: A Cochrane review found only 3 small trials, with 112 people who have COPD (a long-term lung condition), and no clear improvement in quality of life. The evidence was low quality. No good evidence yet · Cochrane, 2017

Is it safe?

Singing close together indoors can spread colds and other infections: in 2020, most people at one choir practice fell ill with COVID-19. Stay at home when you feel unwell. Hamner et al., 2020

Your own practice complements medical care and never replaces it. Please don't stop or change any treatment without talking to your doctor. If you feel very low or think about ending your life, call your local emergency number now.

Sessions that fit alongside

Sissoo practitioners offer sessions some people combine with singing: Sound Therapy · Meditation

Checked 12 November 2026. Next check by May 2027. How we rate the evidence.