BROWNS MILLS, N.J. -- When members of the Better Breathers Club blow on harmonicas, it is more than just music to their ears -- it is therapy for their disease-weakened lungs.
The lung patients at Deborah Heart and Lung Center are learning how to use the tiny wind instruments to perform breathing exercises while playing notes. It is the first time that Deborah has tried musical therapy to help patients strengthen their lungs."This is wonderful," Dot Horn, 75, said after her first lesson last week. "I think music adds to anything. It's a nice way to live life."
About 22 patients -- all members of the Better Breathers Club -- gathered recently for their bimonthly meeting at Deborah, located on a sprawling 55-acre campus in the Pinelands near Fort Dix. They suffer from ailments ranging from lung disease to emphysema and asthma.
The group, formed 6 1/2 years ago at Deborah, provides emotional and educational support to patients and their families. There are hundreds of Better Breathers Clubs around the country.
"It's easy to get a conversation going because you basically have the same problems," said Larry Sabatini, 65.
After an hourlong closed-door meeting to discuss personal health issues with lung disease specialists and each other, the group assembled in an auditorium for its first harmonica lesson.
"This is going to be the Deborah Harmonic Band," joked Joe Koszyk, a nurse counselor at Deborah. "We're going to be featured with the Mummers," referring to the famous string bands from Philadelphia.
A Hicksville, N.Y., businessmen donated 36 harmonicas to the group, and Koszyk, who coincidentally already knew how to play the instrument, gave instructions. Before they began, the group first practiced breathing exercises to strengthen their diaphragms and help get more oxygen into their lungs.
The harmonica is excellent therapy because the inhaling and exhaling required to sound music are the same breathing exercises respiratory therapists teach patients to use when they are short of breath, said Nell Kapeghian, a nurse who oversees the Better Breathers Club.
"It's something you can take with you everywhere. It's great," Kapeghian said.
The patients -- many carrying oxygen tanks or inhalers -- were eager to try out their new equipment in their battle against diseases that often make breathing difficult. Their goal is to increase lung capacity by strengthening the lungs, diaphragm and respiratory muscles between the ribs.
"You look like you're 8 years old and you got a new toy," said Linda Ferguson, a pulmonary technician. "It just kind of makes you feel like a kid again."
Koszyk instructed the group on how to carefully breathe into the tiny holes on the harmonica. They also practiced inhaling, or drawing air into the harmonica, to make different sounds.
A few occasionally paused to cough up phlegm.
"If you're having a problem just relax; don't force it. Let go," Koszyk cautioned. "In time, it'll be much easier."
The mood was upbeat in the auditorium. Some patients were almost giddy -- overcome with fits of laughter at their initially awkward attempts to make melodious sounds.
"I loved it," said Angie Philbin, 63. "I felt a little high. I felt really good."
After a few exercises learning the musical scale, the group was ready to move on and try their hands at a song. Koszyk used an overhead projector to display the notes for "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" and the group was harmonizing in minutes.
"Sounds good," praised Koszyk.
The patients took the harmonicas home with them with instructions to practice. They want to come back for more lessons, although Deborah officials had only planned a solo performance.
"I feel better. I really do," Helen Wills said. "I think maybe the breathing in and out helped."
Sabatini said he plans to learn how to play the harmonica with his wife, Dot, 60, who accompanied him to the meeting at Deborah.
"We can do a duet," he said. "Then when I get good I can do a solo. I like the sound of it."
Deborah, founded in 1922 as a tuberculosis sanitarium, today specializes in diagnosing and treating heart, lung and vascular diseases in adults, and acquired and congenital heart conditions in infants and children.