Image from Pixabay, reproduced under Creative Commons CC0.
Drumming for just 90 minutes each week can improve the life quality of young people diagnosed with autism, according to a study published in 2022. This is a development of a previous study in 2018.
The study was undertaken by experts from the universities of Hartpury, Chichester, King’s College London and Essex, working under their collective group the Clem Burke Drumming Project, named after its co-founding member and famed Blondie musician. They found that learning to play the drums tuned brain networks in autistic adolescents in as little as eight weeks.
Thirty-six autistic adolescents with no drumming experience were recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The 19 in the drum group received individual drum tuition (two 45-minute lessons per week over a two-month period), while the 17 in the control group did not. All the participants attended a testing session before and after the study period, and their guardians were asked by the researchers about recent behavioural difficulties.
Results showed that participants who improved their drumming skills showed fewer signs of hyperactivity, inattention and repetitive behaviours and demonstrated better control of their emotions. MRI scans also revealed changes to their brain function which, according to the study, were linked to overall behaviour.
Prof Stephen Draper, Academic Dean at Hartpury University and report co-author, said: “The paper represents a landmark moment as the scientific team begins, through advanced imaging, to understand why drumming is such a profound stimulus. Over a number of years we have been made aware of cases of drumming benefitting individuals with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, and have subsequently worked with a number of individuals, schools and projects where we have seen first-hand the effects.”
The researchers will use the findings to shape future studies in areas such as emotional and behavioural difficulties, attention deficit, stroke, and dementia.
SOURCES:
Hartpury University: https://www.hartpury.ac.uk/news/2022/06/drumming-impacts-behaviour-and-brain-function-in-autistic-adolescents-research-says/
PNAS: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2106244119
DETAILS:
| BENEFIT: | IMPROVED BEHAVIOUR AND BRAIN FUNCTION |
| TARGET GROUP: | YOUNG PEOPLE |
| AGE: | 16-20 YEARS-OLD |
| MUSIC TYPE: | DRUMMING |
| TYPE OF STUDY | ACADEMIC RESEARCH |
| NOs INVOLVED: | 36 |
| PERIOD OF STUDY: | 2 MONTHS |
| DATE: | 2022 |
| PLACE: | UK |
Music Education Works 