EXPLORE THE PROVEN BENEFITS OF CREATIVE EXPERIENCES.
Proven beneficial when challenged with anxiety, stress, depression, trauma and difficulties in social environments.
The programs facilitated by Certified Creative Rhythms Facilitators offer evidenced based experiential practices prove beneficial for managing stress and anxiety, improving mental health, inspiring connection and community.
The Biological Benefits of Drumming
"Try Drumming for Better Health" By Linda Buch
Posted March 20, 2013
From the first time I participated in a drum circle, I recognized something profoundly moving about the experience,” says Dr. Barry Bittman, a neurologist and CEO and medical director of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, near Pittsburgh.
The current popularity of drumming and participation in drum circles seem to be driven by a human need to reconnect with the beat and vibrations of life. Drumming is also one of those rare physical activities that can have both profound and subtle effects on the entire person. Bittman’s research is demonstrating the benefits of recreational music-making on the drum, including:
Improved aerobic and cardiovascular system;
Strengthened immune system;
Improved mood and reduced burnout of workers under stress;
Reversed ravages of stress at the cellular level;
Reduced anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness.
Effects of Group Drumming Interventions on Anxiety, Depression, Social Resilience and Inflammatory Immune Response among Mental Health Service Users
Daisy Fancourt, Rosie Perkins, Sara Ascenso, Livia A. Carvalho, Andrew Steptoe, Aaron Williamon
Published: March 14, 2016
Scientists who studied the effects of drumming in two groups (one drummed, the other didn’t) found that drumming reduced depression and anxiety and improved social resilience over six- and 10-week timespans.
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES and RESEARCH LINKS:
Not Just for Music: Drumming Is Therapy, TooA growing body of research shows that drumming has a positive effect on Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, PTSD, and more.
Research: Making music for mental health: how group drumming mediates recovery...."While music-making interventions are increasingly recognized as enhancing mental health, little is known of why music may engender such benefit. The objective of this article is to elucidate the features of a program of group drumming known to enable mental health recovery...."
The Impact of Group Drumming on Social-Emotional Behavior in Low-Income Children Low-income youth experience social-emotional problems linked to chronic stress that are exacerbated by lack of access to care. Drumming is a non-verbal, universal activity that builds upon a collectivistic aspect of diverse cultures and does not bear the stigma of therapy. A pretest-post-test non-equivalent control group design was used to assess the effects of 12 weeks of school counselor-led drumming on
“Documented Medical Benefits of Drumming
Stress
Blood samples from participants of an hour-long drumming session revealed a reversal of the hormonal stress response and an increase in natural killer cell activity (Bittman, Berk, Felten, Westengard, Simonton, Pappas, Ninehouser, 2001, Alternative Therapies, vol. 7, no. 1).
Depression
Stanford University School of Medicine conducted a study with 30 depressed people over 80 years of age and found that participants in a weekly music therapy group were less anxious, less distressed and had higher self-esteem (Friedman, Healing Power of the Drum, 1994).
Cancer
Subjects who participated in a clinical trial using the HealthRhythms protocol showed an increase in natural killer cell activity and an enhanced immune system. While this does not indicate a cure for cancer, such results may be of benefit for those facing this disease. (Bittman, Berk, Felten, Westengard, Simonton, Pappas, Ninehouser, 2001, Alternative Therapies, vol. 7, no. 1).
Alzheimer�s Disease
According to Clair, Bernstein and Johnson (1995), Alzheimer�s patients who drum can connect better with loved ones. The predictability of rhythm may provide the framework for repetitive responses that make few cognitive demands on people with dementia.
Parkinson�s Diseases and Stroke
Rhythmic cues can help retrain the brain after a stroke or other neurological impairment, according to Michael Thaurt, director of Colorado State University�s Center of Biomedical Research in Music. Researchers have also discovered that hearing slow, steady rhythms, such as drumbeats, helps Parkinson patients move more steadily (Friedman, Healing Power of the Drum, 1994).
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain has a devastating propensity for progressively draining quality of life. Technology and pharmacology are falling short of the mark needed to improve quality of life and reduce pain, according to Dr. Barry Bittman in the Pain Practitioner. (Lingerman, H. 1995, Music and You. In the Healing Energies of Music. Wheaton, Ill.: Theosophical Publishing House).
HealthtBeat of TTM Winston-Salem www.ttmws.com ”