Effects of playing a musical wind instrument in asthmatic teenagers

J Asthma. 1994;31(5):375-85. doi: 10.3109/02770909409061317.

Abstract

This study examines whether teenage asthmatic wind instrumentalists exhibit fewer bronchoconstrictive symptoms, panic-fear responses, changes of mood, and fatigue symptoms than non-wind instrument players. Eight teenage asthmatic wind instrument players and 10 asthmatic non-wind instrument players kept a diary of asthma symptoms. Panic-fear responses and mood changes were significantly higher in the non-wind players. A general health profile suggested that the wind instrumentalists present a significantly better "asthma health" picture, perceiving themselves better able to cope with the disease. Playing a musical wind instrument has the potential of being a long-term therapeutic agent for asthmatics.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Affect
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Asthma / complications
  • Asthma / physiopathology*
  • Asthma / psychology
  • Attitude to Health
  • Bronchoconstriction
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Humans
  • Medical Records
  • Music*
  • Respiration*