Written by: Claris Lam
Nov 22, 2024
Introduction
When one hears about drumming, they typically think of it being used in musical settings – a concert, a spontaneous jam session with fellow musicians, and more. However, drum circles have been used in many non-musical settings and situations. Some have been used to help others’ mental health, while others drum for spiritual reasons. Drumming has also been used to build community and peace during times of discord.
Drum Circles and PTSD
Drum circles have been used to help soldiers cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A study conducted by Moshe Bensimon, Dorit Amir, and Yuval Wolf had participants participate in group music therapy. The participants consisted of nine men, 20–23 years old, who experienced traumatic events during military service and were diagnosed as chronically suffering from PTSD. In addition to group music therapy, each one of them participated in individual psychotherapy.
The results of this study concluded that group drumming “increased a sense of openness, togetherness, belonging, sharing, closeness, connectedness, and intimacy.” Additionally, drumming “evoked associations which were connected to trauma.” However, since this activity took place in a creative and safe atmosphere, it might have established a platform for accessing traumatic memories in a non-intimidating way.
Another example of drumming used to heal PTSD is through Gayle Crosmaz, who offers therapeutic drumming for veterans experiencing PTSD at the Haliburton Legion. Crosmaz describes the circles as group therapy, a time where “We don’t just drum. We share.”
Crosmaz said former members of the military are often in a mode of fight or flight, and through drumming and sharing, their bodies “remember how to feel joy,” helping them “remember how to feel peace” because they are always in survival mode otherwise.
Crosmaz said that the key in a successful drum circle is often finding the right drum, and beat, that resonates with the person’s vibration. This goes hand-in-hand with the setting of healing intentions. In some cases, the veterans will work with other veterans, drumming for each other.
Drumming and Eating Disorders
In addition to treating PTSD, drum circles have also been shown to help patients deal with eating disorders. At the St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC, drum circles are run in the In-Patient Eating Disorders ward since 2006, led by Lyle Povah. Povah initially offered a 4-week pilot series, then a 3-month program in 2007, a 6-month program in 2009 (see study summary below), a 10-month program in 2011, , and an 8-month expanded 2-session program from October 2012 until June 2013.
Research studies were done on the various iterations of the program, including the 2010/11 program. This version ran weekly for a period of 10 months from June 2010 to March 2011. The study was conducted using the validated PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Scale) to determine how the Drum Circle experience affected patient emotions and feelings. On a scale of 1 – 5, patients rated 10 positive emotions and feelings and 10 negative emotions and feelings before and after the experience.
The results of the study found that participants who took part in just one or more drum circle interventions experienced a highly statistically significant improvement in positive affect (emotions and feelings), and a significant decrease in negative affect, after the intervention
Drumming For Senior Citizens
Drumming has also been used to enhance the lives of senior citizens, whether they participate or be an audience member. Studies show that by introducing new skills and ideas, the brain can be stimulated. Nerve pathways may even regenerate, helping to alleviate many neurological symptoms that seniors may experience.
For seniors that can drum, the action of drumming is a great form of exercise or the upper body. Even those with arthritis and other issues can be stimulated by just listening and being surrounded by the rhythms of drums. In addition to health benefits, social benefits are part of drumming too! There are many opportunities for teamwork and social interaction involved in a drum circle. Senior citizens would enjoy being part of something “bigger” than their own self-care.
Cardio drumming in particular has made drumming a popular exercise amongst many due to accessibility. Equipment for cardio drumming requires a large bucket that would act as a “drum stand,” an exercise ball to work as the “drum,” and a pair of drumsticks. During this exercise, one stands with their exercise ball waist high and is slightly bent but with a straight back. This engages the abs and creates a full body workout. Users can even switch it up by drumming on their neighbor’s ball.
Drumming involves continuous movement, which increases your cardiovascular fitness. When you're fully engaged in an intense drumming session, the rhythm demands quick and repetitive actions that helps increase your heart rate.
A working example of drumming for senior citizens outside of studies is Family Service of the Upper Ohio Valley, which offers free cardio drumming sessions for seniors. These sessions are taught by physical therapy majors from Wheeling University. Some drummers are clients of Family Service, and while others are community. Paula Cavert, CEO of Family Services, explained that it’s “an active wellness program as well as can be seated, standing,” making it accessible for seniors to enjoy. This class also gives the physical therapy students an opportunity to have real-world experiences with those who they might work with in the future.
Drumming For Peace
Drums have also been utilized to facilitate peace through various projects. One of these projects is the Peace Drums Project, which facilitates classes and performances for young children with steel drums to have positive experiences and build community, regardless of religious, cultural, and social differences. The Peace Drums Project was founded by Harvey Price in 2012. Price believes that when young people connect and take charge, a lot can change.
Once a month, the Peace Drums project has a shared rehearsal for all children to play instruments together and get to know each other better. The children come from both Jewish and Arabic schools, and the project gives them an opportunity to build community between them in a safe environment.
Peace Drums project is an organization that was founded in 2012 when various clergy came together and decided to do a project that invested in Peace, rather than divest it from one another. The peace drums project also wanted to use an instrument that was not part of any of the cultures in the Middle East, so they started playing with the steel drum of Trinidad and Tobago. This instrument itself was born out of conflict, which makes it the symbol for this specific project.
Drum circles have been used for many reasons outside of musical performances. From treating mental health issues to building community and encouraging peace, drumming can be a key process in aiding the world with various issues, whether it be something as personal as mental health or fostering community and peace.
Published November 21st, 2024
Sources
Drumming through trauma: Music therapy with post-traumatic soldiers | ScienceDirect
What is Cardio Drumming? A Fun Exercise for Everyone by Nick Cesarz
Feel the Beat, Feel the Burn: What are the Physical Health Benefits of Drumming | Melodics
Seniors drum up wellness and community spirit in Cardio Drumming Class by D.K. Wright
How Drum Circles Help Those With Eating Disorders by Lyle Povah
About the Author
Claris Lam
Meet Claris, she has a passion for making grand ideas accessible to a wider audience. She has written articles about emerging environmental technology and research, lifestyle, studying, and career advice, and anime and manga for several organizations including Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR), TalentEgg, and Comic Book Resources (CBR). When she’s not writing informative articles, you can find her playing the piano, pipe organ or violin, writing new fiction and poetry books as an indie author and poet, or reading.