COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)EMPOWERNCT07563283
Singing Intervention for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
A study testing singing intervention for COPD in people with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), run by University of Kansas Medical Center at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Why is this study being done? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) causes airflow blockage creating breathing issues, distress, and lower well-being. COPD also causes hyperinflation of the lungs. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- What is being tested?
- singing intervention for COPD
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 5 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 25 Jul 2024to 26 Nov 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants 18 years of age or older
- Diagnosis of COPD
- Airflow obstruction and resting hyperinflation of the lung
- Able to hear within normal range with correction if needed
Who cannot join
- Pregnancy will be excluded for CT imaging safety and radiation safety
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kansas, 66160
About this study
Why is this study being done? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) causes airflow blockage creating breathing issues, distress, and lower well-being. COPD also causes hyperinflation of the lungs. The investigators are doing the study to learn more about improving lung function for patients with COPD by using voice-based experiences.
What is being tested in this study? If singing/vocalizing can improve lung function.
How long will I be in the study? The study will last 4 weeks and involve 2 in-person visits to KUMC with virtual vocal sessions two times a week over Zoom.
Read the detailed description
Study Significance: This study is intended to show if air trapping in functional small airways disease (fSAD) in COPD patients is reduced by a targeted music-based singing intervention.
Air trapping in fSAD in COPD is associated with the experience of breathlessness or dyspnea, which is a primary source of patient distress. Air trapping may be mitigated by activities that support slow, controlled, and more complete exhalation. Because singing requires sustained delivery of consistent air pressure for sound production, training in this activity aims to strengthen respiratory musculature to improve airflow control and increase efficient use of each breath. The investigators believe that singing training will be beneficial in strengthening the respiratory musculature and emptying the lungs, possibly reducing the amount of trapped air.
A major gap exists in understanding whether singing is effective for improving lung function in COPD. Previous interventions based in group singing have been focused on improving social and emotional outcomes, but they do not specifically address the potential physiological benefits of singing as described above. The investigators aim to show specific targeted manipulation of music elements within tailored vocalization activities can successfully improve lung function and reduce dyspnea in patients with COPD, while preserving social and emotional benefits of other more generalized singing interventions. The investigators are focusing on air trapping due to small airways disease as a key symptom that leads to patient experience of dyspnea.(13, 14) Other aspects of COPD pathology and symptoms may be improved by the singing intervention, including a sense of hope through a sense of agency in their own psychological health.
The goal of the pilot study is to determine the feasibility of providing a music-based intervention targeting the issue of air trapping, improve functional small airways disease, and improve other symptoms of COPD and further define the details of the intervention.
This study will determine participant acceptability of a newly developed music-based intervention hoped to be beneficial for people with COPD. If successful, our proposed singing intervention will improve lung function health through reduced air trapping due to hyperinflation, improve patient experience of dyspnea and foster positive psychological health.
- Being tested
- singing intervention for COPD
- Keywords
- music, singing, small airways disease
- Medical subject headings
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
singing intervention for COPDBehavioural
Also called Engaging Music for Pulmonary Obstruction With Expiratory Restoration (EMPOWER)
Using the Therapeutic Function of Music Plan, this individually tailored music therapy used singing and vocal exercises, guided by a board-certified music therapist, to aid in complete exhalation and reduce air trapping that occurs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 4-week singing intervention | Experimental | Individual virtual singing sessions with a board-certified music therapist designed to target complete exhalation and reduce air trapping Receives: Behavioral: singing intervention for COPD |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Quantitative Computed Tomography (qCT) Air Trapping
Functional Small Airways Disease Percent (range 0-100), indicating non-emphysematous air trapping percentage (fSAD) as lung volume percent of low attenuation areas below a radiodensity of -856 Hounsfield units (HU) on expiratory computed tomography (CT) and above -950HU on inspiratory CT. Higher values indicate greater air trapping and worse lung function.
Measured: Change from baseline after four weeks of the EMPOWER intervention
Secondary outcomes (2)
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)
FEV1 measures the maximum volume of air (in Liters) forcefully exhaled in the first second of a coached spirometric assessment or pulmonary function test (PFT). Lower FEV1 indicates worse lung function and obstructive defect in the lungs.
Measured: Change from baseline after four weeks of the EMPOWER intervention
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT)
Patient reported symptoms of COPD. The CAT scale contains eight patient-completed questions to assess and monitor COPD symptoms, including the impact on daily life, cough, phlegm, breathlessness, sleep, confidence, and energy. Scores range from 0-5 on each question for a total scale range of 0-40, with higher scores indicating worse respiratory symptoms.
Measured: Change from baseline after four weeks of the EMPOWER intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 May 2026
- Study start25 Jul 2024
- Primary completion26 Nov 2024
- Study completion26 Nov 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 5 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Kansas Medical Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Rebecca J Lepping, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Kansas Medical Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07563283
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY00160422
- Acronym
- EMPOWER
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 4 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Data from this feasibility pilot may be shared upon reasonable request.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Singing Intervention for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07563283
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- EMPOWER / STUDY00160422
- Keywords
- music, singing, small airways disease
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 5 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Kansas Medical CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Jul 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 26 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 26 Nov 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Why is this study being done? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) causes airflow blockage creating breathing issues, distress, and lower well-being. COPD also causes hyperinflation of the lungs. The investigators are doing the study to learn more about improving lung function for patients with COPD by using voice-based experiences.
What is being tested in this study? If singing/vocalizing can improve lung function.
How long will I be in the study? The study will last 4 weeks and involve 2 in-person visits to KUMC with virtual vocal sessions two times a week over Zoom.
Detailed description
Study Significance: This study is intended to show if air trapping in functional small airways disease (fSAD) in COPD patients is reduced by a targeted music-based singing intervention.
Air trapping in fSAD in COPD is associated with the experience of breathlessness or dyspnea, which is a primary source of patient distress. Air trapping may be mitigated by activities that support slow, controlled, and more complete exhalation. Because singing requires sustained delivery of consistent air pressure for sound production, training in this activity aims to strengthen respiratory musculature to improve airflow control and increase efficient use of each breath. The investigators believe that singing training will be beneficial in strengthening the respiratory musculature and emptying the lungs, possibly reducing the amount of trapped air.
A major gap exists in understanding whether singing is effective for improving lung function in COPD. Previous interventions based in group singing have been focused on improving social and emotional outcomes, but they do not specifically address the potential physiological benefits of singing as described above. The investigators aim to show specific targeted manipulation of music elements within tailored vocalization activities can successfully improve lung function and reduce dyspnea in patients with COPD, while preserving social and emotional benefits of other more generalized singing interventions. The investigators are focusing on air trapping due to small airways disease as a key symptom that leads to patient experience of dyspnea.(13, 14) Other aspects of COPD pathology and symptoms may be improved by the singing intervention, including a sense of hope through a sense of agency in their own psychological health.
The goal of the pilot study is to determine the feasibility of providing a music-based intervention targeting the issue of air trapping, improve functional small airways disease, and improve other symptoms of COPD and further define the details of the intervention.
This study will determine participant acceptability of a newly developed music-based intervention hoped to be beneficial for people with COPD. If successful, our proposed singing intervention will improve lung function health through reduced air trapping due to hyperinflation, improve patient experience of dyspnea and foster positive psychological health.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 4-week singing intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: singing intervention for COPDIndividual virtual singing sessions with a board-certified music therapist designed to target complete exhalation and reduce air trapping |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Participants 18 years of age or older
- Diagnosis of COPD
- Airflow obstruction and resting hyperinflation of the lung
- Able to hear within normal range with correction if needed
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Pregnancy will be excluded for CT imaging safety and radiation safety
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| singing intervention for COPDAlso: Engaging Music for Pulmonary Obstruction With Expiratory Restoration (EMPOWER)Using the Therapeutic Function of Music Plan, this individually tailored music therapy used singing and vocal exercises, guided by a board-certified music therapist, to aid in complete exhalation and reduce air trapping that occurs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). | Behavioural | 4-week singing intervention |
Primary outcome
Quantitative Computed Tomography (qCT) Air Trapping
Time frame: Change from baseline after four weeks of the EMPOWER intervention
Functional Small Airways Disease Percent (range 0-100), indicating non-emphysematous air trapping percentage (fSAD) as lung volume percent of low attenuation areas below a radiodensity of -856 Hounsfield units (HU) on expiratory computed tomography (CT) and above -950HU on inspiratory CT. Higher values indicate greater air trapping and worse lung function.
2 secondary outcomes
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)
Time frame: Change from baseline after four weeks of the EMPOWER intervention
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT)
Time frame: Change from baseline after four weeks of the EMPOWER intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Data from this feasibility pilot may be shared upon reasonable request.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Rebecca J Lepping, PhD principal investigator
University of Kansas Medical Center
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing singing intervention for COPD in people with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), run by University of Kansas Medical Center at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Quantitative Computed Tomography (qCT) Air Trapping (time frame: Change from baseline after four weeks of the EMPOWER intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 May 2026.