Community singing intervention reduces maternal salivary cytokines and enhances maternal-infant cortisol synchrony in postnatal depression: biological findings from the SHAPER-PND trial
April 12th, 2026
London, United Kingdom
Madeline Kirkpatrick, Kristi Priestley, Rebecca H Bind, Lavinia Rebecchini, Alessandra Borsini, Carikuba Estevao, Katie Hazelgrove, Riddhi Laijawala, Sorcha Alford, Anthony J Woods, Nikki Crane, Manonmani Manoharan, Alexandra Burton, Hannah Dye, Tim Osborn, Lorna Greenwood, Paola Dazzan, Daisy Fancourt, Carmine Pariante
This study investigated salivary cytokines and cortisol in mothers and their babies taking part in The Scaling-up Health-Arts Programmes: Implementation and Effectiveness Research-Postnatal Depression (SHAPER-PND).
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2026.106600
Posted byRiley Fitzpatrick
Pending staff verification
Notify
Abstract/Description
The arts, specifically music interventions, have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for postnatal depression (PND). The Scaling-up Health-Arts Programmes: Implementation and Effectiveness Research-Postnatal Depression (SHAPER-PND) randomized controlled trial showed that Breathe Melodies for Mums (M4M), a 10-week community singing program for PND developed by the not-for-profit Breathe Arts Health Research, is both effective and feasible compared with an active control of community-based, non-musical mother–baby activities. To validate its scientific basis and refine its application, it is important to examine the biological mechanisms underlying these effects.
This study investigated salivary cytokines and cortisol in mothers and their babies taking part in SHAPER-PND. Salivary samples (passive drool for cytokines, swabs for cortisol) were collected from the mother before and after the first (week 1) 1-hour M4M singing (or control) session. Additional samples were collected for cortisol: before and after the last (week 10) M4M singing (or control) session; and, at home, to assess awakening and diurnal cortisol rhythms in both mothers and infants, before and after the whole 10-week M4M singing (or control) intervention. In total, 145 participants (M4M group: 110, control group: 35) contributed data for biological analysis. Inflammatory cytokines were measured using the Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) proinflammatory panel, while cortisol was measured using the Salimetrics enzyme immunoassay kit.
Only interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were reliably detected in the saliva. During the week 1 session, IL-6 and TNF-α levels decreased only in the M4M group (IL-6: −26%, p 0.36), however a significant time x group interaction was seen only for IL-6 (p = 0.026). Cortisol levels fell in both groups at week 1 (control: −41%, p
This study investigated salivary cytokines and cortisol in mothers and their babies taking part in SHAPER-PND. Salivary samples (passive drool for cytokines, swabs for cortisol) were collected from the mother before and after the first (week 1) 1-hour M4M singing (or control) session. Additional samples were collected for cortisol: before and after the last (week 10) M4M singing (or control) session; and, at home, to assess awakening and diurnal cortisol rhythms in both mothers and infants, before and after the whole 10-week M4M singing (or control) intervention. In total, 145 participants (M4M group: 110, control group: 35) contributed data for biological analysis. Inflammatory cytokines were measured using the Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) proinflammatory panel, while cortisol was measured using the Salimetrics enzyme immunoassay kit.
Only interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were reliably detected in the saliva. During the week 1 session, IL-6 and TNF-α levels decreased only in the M4M group (IL-6: −26%, p 0.36), however a significant time x group interaction was seen only for IL-6 (p = 0.026). Cortisol levels fell in both groups at week 1 (control: −41%, p
