The sound of a harmonica playing Happy Birthday is heard down the hall of the Kamloops Primary Care Clinic, making those around smile.
It’s Wednesday, which means a Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness) virtual class is taking place. Participants from across Interior Health are receiving a harmonica lesson and being led through guided breathing exercises. Along with an artistic spirit, the participants share another thing in common; they have a lung disease known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness) teaches people with COPD how to have better control of their breathing. It exercises the muscles that help pull air in and push air out of the lungs and strengthen abdominal muscles for a more effective cough. The program also helps them get a self-confidence boost, relieve stress, socialize with others and have fun.
“It’s a fun and innovative initiative to engage a section of our population that is often isolated,” said Dr. Jas Kambo, Kamloops respirologist and the Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness) physician champion. “This platform provides a social structure and sense of community while engaging them in rehabilitation programs that we expect will enhance their quality of life and lung function.”
Bringing an innovative program to Canada
Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness) was created by the COPD Foundation in the U.S. Interior Health, led by Kamloops community respiratory therapists, is the first in Canada to deliver the program.
The program coordinators are Jacqueline Turvey (Primary Care Respiratory Therapist and Kamloops Integrated Primary and Community Care Program Coordinator) and Tracee Gallant (Respiratory Therapist and Kamloops Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Coordinator). In February 2022, they brought the idea forward to Christopher Maki, Professional Practice Lead for Respiratory Therapy for Royal Inland Hospital.
“They saw an opportunity to reach COPD clients virtually, from across the health authority, and provide them with the fun and innovative new way to exercise, and connect with others that share the same condition,” Christopher said. “It is initiatives like this that set clinicians like Jacqueline and Tracee apart, and motivate others to think outside the box.”
Jacqueline and Tracee are thankful for Christopher’s support and that of the BC Lung Foundation, who provided the initial funding that permitted the purchase for 30 participant kits (harmonicas and booklets) and one-year access to COPD Foundation Harmonicas for Health virtual education modules. There is also continued collaboration with external partners including Thompson Rivers University, BC Lung Foundation and the COPD Foundation.
Participants initially came from the Kamloops area after graduating from the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.
“We had excellent feedback from our first couple of groups and many participants did not want the program to end after the five weeks,” Jacqueline said. “At that point, Tracee and I did not have the capacity to run the program weekly, so instead we started a monthly Alumni Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness) group. “
Sessions are about more than mastering the harmonica
Each session is one hour a week for five weeks. People do not need musical experience to participate in Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness). The harmonica can be taken anywhere, so clients can continue playing even on their own.
The lessons are kept light, and participants are reminded that whatever their musical abilities are, they are still exercising their lungs and benefitting their health by taking part.
With the class being virtual, people with COPD have been able to participate as far away as Castlegar. Jacqueline and Tracee have been able to run the five-week program three times in 2022, along with the monthly alumni class since June.
Tracee said the program enhances and is an extension of some of the work done in pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
“The program is about learning to play the harmonica, but it also gave us time to connect with clients and answer questions clients have about their respiratory health, for example about COPD action plans, emergency preparedness, extreme heat, air quality health index, and COPD triggers,” she said.
Participants are breathing easier
A small study at Baylor University Medical Center demonstrates the potential of the Harmonicas for Health program to improve health of individuals who participated in the program.
Participants in the IH program have reported experiencing:
- Decreased shortness of breath
- Increased sputum mobilization
- Increased quality of life
Participants have had lots of fun as well, even dressing up with fedoras, scarves, sunhats, Hawaiian leis, sunglasses, etc. While a lot of time is spent learning, organizers say there’s a lot of laughter as well.
Jacqueline points out that this project aligns with Interior Health’s Vision, Mission and Values and meets various IH goals:
- Improve health and wellness
- Deliver high quality care
- Ensure sustainable health care by improving innovation
Building on a successful program
Word of mouth has created a stir about Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness). Two respiratory therapists and two physiotherapists, all from different areas in IH, have participated alongside their patients.
The hope is to run four to five sessions throughout the year.
A thriving and growing program is music to the ears of one group of participants.
We just don’t want it to end!
Learn about opportunities to participate
To express an interest in the program or learn more, email Jacqueline at KamloopsIPCC@interiorhealth.ca.
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