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New Medical Study: Group Drumming Boosts Immune System
- Jane Booth, BA, CSW, Wellness Facilitator
A brand new medical research study indicates that group drumming boosts the immune system. Published in the January, 2001, issue of Alternative Therapies, the groundbreaking study was performed at Meadville Medical Center's Mind-Body Wellness Center, Meadville, PA, by a team of MDs using control groups and blood tests.
Led by well-known researcher, author and cancer expert Barry Bittman, MD, CEO of Meadville Medical Center's Mind-Body Wellness Center, the study showed that group drumming actually increases cancer-killing (NK) cells which help the body combat not only cancer but other viruses, including AIDS. In their findings titled Composite Effects of Group Drumming Music Therapy on Modulation of Neuroendocrine-Immune Parameters in Normal Subjects, they found that one group drumming method in particular correlated with increase in NK cell activity, Lymphokine-Activated Killer (LAK) cell activity and chemical changes that together signal a strengthening of the body's natural immune response and a direct connection between the external senses and the natural immune system. (For details of this research study see http://www.amc-music.com/drumstudy.) According to Dr. Bittman, "Group drumming tunes our biology, orchestrates our immunity, and enables healing to begin... When our hands connect with a drum that vibrates with energy, vitality... and unity, we become whole again." Dr. Bittman's weekly radio program, Mind-Body Matters, is syndicated nationwide on NPR. For more on Dr. Bittman: http://www.mind-body.org/bittman.htm.
This new medical research follows recent biofeedback research showing that even brief heartbeat drumming can double alpha (a light meditative brainwave) and reduce stress. We now know that stress depresses the immune system and has been linked to nearly all diseases. Drumming has also been used successfully with Alzheimer's patients to focus attention, with war veterans to end trauma, with addicts in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, and with prison and homeless populations to enhance self-esteem. Progressive corporations like Motorola, AT&T and Levi-Strauss have drummed with middle management to promote team spirit building. Widely published research also indicates that playing musical instruments increase children's learning abilities. This appears especially true of those instruments that can be played intuitively, like the drum. Qualitative studies have shown that drumming enhances right-brain functions such as intuition and creativity.
"The beauty of drumming as opposed to other activities is that you can take it anywhere, teach it in only a few minutes and offer it to groups of ill and well people alike," Bittman says. "Composite drumming enables people to enjoy myriad psychological and physical benefits. While immersed in this form of music making, their tension is rapidly transformed into a joyful, moving and enlivening experience. I believe group drumming should become an integral component of whole person care."
Drumming circles are part of the Golden Light Creative Energy programs at the Golden Light Centre for Well-Being. They are also included in a program, Inner Alignment Solutions for Business offered this fall at Golden Light Centre by Jane Booth, BA, CSW, Facilitator of Golden Light Creative Energy programs. Call 743-4848 for more information.
"The drum is the Great Spirit's favorite instrument That's why we were all given a heartbeat..."
- Mano, Navajo Elder
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