Download Use of Drum Circles for Stress Relief and Social Integration

Use of Drum Circles
for
Stress Relief and Social Integration
Mary Sokolowski BSN, RN
Kent State University
September 24, 2008
DRUM?
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drum is a member of the percussion group,
technically classified as a membranophone
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/drum)
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Percussion/Rhythm Instruments –
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Djembe/conga/cocktail/snare/tom-tom
Clavas
Maraccas
Tambourine
Castinets
Shaker eggs
Electric Drum pads
CIRCLE
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simple shapes of Euclidean geometry consisting
of those points …which are at a constant
distance, …from a fixed point, called the center
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle)
so . . .
Drum Circle
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drum circle = any group of people playing (usually)
hand-drums and percussion in a circle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_circle
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Group of people from many backgrounds:
Races, ages, cultures, ethnicity,
education levels
With or without musical ability
+
Facilitator: Leads group
Music Therapist – uses music and self
Drum Circles
History: Drum Circles
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First rhythm – heartbeat
Drum circles – various cultures/worldwide
Ancient times – rituals
Healing - reduce pain, suffering
Communication
(Sacks, 2006)
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Now:
Websites for Sex: 185 million sites
Websites for Music: 131 million sites
(Kemper & Danhauer, 2005)
Principles
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Sound – objects vibrate
Human Body –
Vibrates/Absorbs
Entrainment:
Strong rhythm (vibration) causes other
rhythms to fall in sync
Noise vs. Music
Psychophysiologic response – pitch, rhythm
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Limbic system/Neurohormonal system
Altered states of consiousness
(Dossey & Keegan, 2009)
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Collaborative creativity
Camaraderie, non-threatening environment
Benefits
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Psychologic:
Distraction
Decreased Anxiety
Comfort/Relaxation
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Social:
Cohesiveness
Interpersonal support
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Spiritual:
Altered Consciousness
Self Awareness
Improved Mood
Emotional Release
Reconnection
Higher Power (Secular)
(Winkelman, 2003)
Benefits:
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Physiologic:
∆ Neuronal activity –
lateral temporal/cortical areas
∆ RR, HR variability
↓ Salivary cortisol
↑ Opiate receptor expression
↑ Interleukin 6, salivary IgA
(Kemper & Danhauer, 2005)
Effects:
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Music
Tempo, Pitch, Rhythm
People
Listener Characteristics
Circumstances
Live vs Recorded
Active vs Passive
Recreation/Work/Therapy
(Kemper & Danhauer, 2005)
Types
Recreational
 Corporate
 Diversity
 Health/Wellness
 Music Store
 Therapeutic
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Stress Response
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Jung
Psyche’s attempt to self-regulate
Problem somaticized
(McClary & Rebecca, 2007)
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Selye
General Adaptation Response (GAR)
Reactive Response
Psychoneuroimmunlogy
(McCance & Huether, 2006)
Stress Response
Effects of Stress
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Sleep
Appetite
Growth
Behavior
Digestion
Wound healing
Every organ system –
Neuroendocrine, CV, Immune system
(Kemper & Danhauer, 2005)
Concept:
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Social Integration
Definition:
Perceived/Received sense of support
from others
Includes:
Social support functions
Network structure
(Hutchison, 1999)
Antecedents
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Social Network
People
Social Embeddedness
Connectedness
Social Climate
Helpfulness, Protection
(Hutchison, 1999)
Consequences:
Feeling of being:
Loved
Esteemed
Respected
Sense of belonging to group
(Hutchison, 1999)
Nursing Diagnosis
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Social Isolation:
Definition: Aloneness experienced by the
individual and perceived as imposed by
others and as a negative or threatened state
Characteristics: Expressed feelings of
aloneness, rejection, feeling different from
others; inadequate sense of purpose;
inability to meet expectations of others
(Wilkinson & Wilkinson, 2005)
Related Factors
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R/T: Populations
Chemical Dependency
Addictive Behavior
Psychologic Impairment
Alzheimer’s Disease
Treatment-imposed Isolation
Trauma
Stressful Occupations
Corporate culture, LTC worker, Students
(Wilkinson & Wilkinson, 2005)
Research
Normal Subjects:
111 subjects: 6 groups
2 control – listening, reading
4 group drum –
basic, impact, shamanic, composite
Measure: Blood tests + Anxiety/Depression Scales
Results: ↑ DHEA:Cortisol level, ↑NK cell activity,
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↑lymphocytes; No ∆ Depression/Anxiety Scales
Conclusion: Neuroendocrine and neuroimmune hormones ↑
in direct opposition to normal stress response
(Bittman, Berk, Felten, Westengard, Simonton, & Pappas, 2001)
Research
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Alzheimer’s Disease –
↓ Motivation, ↓ initiative for social interaction; decline in
psychomotor, cognitive, communicative, social, emotional
Purpose: Test value of musical instrument to elicit responses
in a group musical session
Method: 2 groups; 24 sessions (1/week)
1 early/moderate, 1 later Alzheimer’s
Participant observation
Results:
Musical perception still present; able to learn new material;
enhances social interaction; AD responds to structure of
movement, rhythm; Best – djembe in lap
(Cevasco & Grant, 2006)
Research
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Stress Induction/Amelioration:
32 healthy volunteers
Method:
Blood tests pre/post protocol
All – puzzle for stress induction; 1 group – continued,
1 group rested, 1 group engaged in RMM protocol
Results: Subjects with RMM protocol - 19/45 peripheral
blood gene analysis markers demonstrated reversal
compared with 6/45 in control and 0/45 in ongoing
stressor groups
Antiviral, immunologic effects
(Bittman, Berk, Shannon, Sharaf, Westengard, & Guegler, 2005)
Research
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Stroke Patients
40 patients - motor impairment after stroke – paresis of UE
Method: Restricted unimpaired arm and exposed to
repetitive movements with piano, electric drum
Result: improvement in movements – fine motor (piano)
and gross motor (drum); functional reorganization noted on
PET scan
? Influence from motivational factors after stroke (group)
(Schneider, Schonle, Altenmuller, & Munte, 2007)
Research
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Drug Addiction
Addicts are self-centered, disconnected, isolated in
subculture
4 separate studies in 2001
Method: Observation, Interview (counselor), Pilot
program, Online discussion
Results:
Unity, purpose, connectedness, deep relaxation, emotional
release, altered state of consciousness, “rush of
energy”, “eraser” to remove effects of trauma.
Entrains brain to feel pleaurable effects without drugs.
Reintegration of self
(Winkelman, 2003)
Research
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LTC Workers
Turnover rates for LTC workers: 40-100%/yr with burnout,
depressed mood
125 subjects – several groups over 1 yr period;
Method:
6 session/ RMM presented as employee enrichment activity
Group Empowerment Drumming Protocol
Tool: Maslach Burnout Inventory & Profile of Mood States
Results: Significant ↓ burnout and ↑ mood
Cost savings: $ 8100/ea X 60 workers = $89,100
Cost of program: $10,300 (over 5 yrs)
(Bittman, Bruhn, Stevens, Westengard, & Umbach, 2003)
Other uses:
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Community Drumming
Sense of connection to self
Sense of family connection
Sense of community connection
(Camilleri, 2002; Stone, 2005)
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Corporate Drumming
Team building – support and expression
Employee Satisfaction
Collaboration/Creativity
Interdisciplinary Respect
(http://www.findbliss.com/Magazine/Detailed/60.shtml)
Adverse Effects
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None reported in literature
One article mentioned ? precipitation of
seizures with music of ↑ tempo
(Stouffer, Shirk, & Polomano, 2007)
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Caution in culture of substance abuse
Intervention
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Music Therapy: using music to help
achieve a specific change in behavior,
feeling, or physiology
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Define the specific change in behavior or
physiology that is desired
Inform the individual of purpose of music
experience
Facilitate the individual’s active participation
(Dochterman, Bulechek, Butcher, & University of Iowa, 2008)
Drum Circle
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Silence – allows for centering
Unstructured rumble – use different parts
of hands for different sounds
Express feelings
Chance for leadership – control
Assert feelings
Amplify emotions
(Camilleri, 2002)
Drum Circle
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Introduce self with drum –
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Group mirrors the sound
Self expression
Voice to emotion
Immediate gratification and feedback
(Camilleri, 2002)
Drum Circle
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Listening/Imitating Games
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Mirror Games 
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1 starts, group copies back – pride of ownership
Echo Games –
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1 starts, sound around group in wave – chance for
idea to be heard; no right/wrong
(Camilleri, 2002)
Drum Circle
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Leader Role
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Introductions – group process
ABC’s of drumming – drums, techniques
Ice Breaker – getting to know others
Entrainment Building – listening, assimilating
Insight – create connections
Conclusion – summarize lessons learned
(Bittman, Bruhn, Lim, Neve, Stevens, & Knudsen, 2004)
Recipe – Drum Circle
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Define Purpose
Select group/time/place
Individuals select instruments
Start – silence
Ice breaker
ABC’s of drumming
Unstructured rumble
Recipe – Drum Circle
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Individual introduction with drum
Mirror game
Echo game
Rhythm connections – led by leader
Cool down – slower rhythm
Insight
Conclusion
Evaluation
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Outcomes
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Leisure Participation: use of relaxing,
interesting, and enjoyable activities to
promote well-being
Evaluation:
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Participates in leisure activities
Uses appropriate social interaction skills
Exhibits creativity through leisure activity
Expresses satisfaction with leisure activities
(Moorhead, 2008)
Summary
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Drum Circles use the process of
entrainment – rhythms falling in sync –
to reduce stress and social isolation
The act of making music in a group fosters
team building and creates connections to
promote social integration
Research shows that reducing psychosocial
stress has a physiologic, immunoenhancing
effect, proving a mind-body connection