Composite effects of group drumming music therapy on modulation of neuroendocrine-immune parameters in normal subjects.
BACKGROUND
Drum circles have been part of healing rituals in many cultures throughout the world since antiquity. Although drum circles are gaining increased interest as a complementary therapeutic strategy in the traditional medical arena, limited scientific data documenting biological benefits associated with percussion activities exist.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the role of group-drumming music therapy as a composite activity with potential for alteration of stress-related hormones and enhancement of specific immunologic measures associated with natural killer cell activity and cell-mediated immunity.


METHODS
A single trial experimental intervention with control groups.


METHODS
The Mind-Body Wellness Center, an outpatient medical facility in Meadville, Pa.


METHODS
A total of 111 age- and sex-matched volunteer subjects (55 men and 56 women, with a mean age of 30.4 years) were recruited.


METHODS
Six preliminary supervised groups were studied using various control and experimental paradigms designed to separate drumming components for the ultimate determination of a single experimental model, including 2 control groups (resting and listening) as well as 4 group-drumming experimental models (basic, impact, shamanic, and composite). The composite drumming group using a music therapy protocol was selected based on preliminary statistical analysis, which demonstrated immune modulation in a direction opposite to that expected with the classical stress response. The final experimental design included the original composite drumming group plus 50 additional age- and sex-matched volunteer subjects who were randomly assigned to participate in group drumming or control sessions.


METHODS
Pre- and postintervention measurements of plasma cortisol, plasma dehydroepiandrosterone, plasma dehydroepiandrosterone-to-cortisol ratio, natural killer cell activity, lymphokine-activated killer cell activity, plasma interleukin-2, plasma interferon-gamma, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory II.


RESULTS
Group drumming resulted in increased dehydroepiandrosterone-to-cortisol ratios, increased natural killer cell activity, and increased lymphokine-activated killer cell activity without alteration in plasma interleukin 2 or interferon-gamma, or in the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory II.


CONCLUSIONS
Drumming is a complex composite intervention with the potential to modulate specific neuroendocrine and neuroimmune parameters in a direction opposite to that expected with the classic stress response.
Bittman
B B
BB
Meadville Medical Center's Mind-Body Wellness Center, 18201 Conneaut Lake Rd, Meadville, PA 16335, USA. doctorb@mind-body.org
Berk
L S
LS
Felten
D L
DL
Westengard
J
J
Simonton
O C
OC
Pappas
J
J
Ninehouser
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007107:Immune System; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009147:Music Therapy; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems; D012016:Reference Values
D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone