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site update: May 14, 2025
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photo credit: Rhythm Planet Workshop
A collection of resources
focused on group rhythm based activities that demonstrate the therapeutic effects on mood states and physiology
Original Research StudiesOrganized both by population of study, and the therapeutic benefits found, this area allows you to quickly find studies and outcomes that are of interest to you. Full reports and abstracts of peer reviewed research reports are available through web links. Full reports are linked where possible. In other cases, abstracts are provided to give a summary of the research work and outcomes.
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Books on Benefits of DrummingHere you will find books on the therapeutic aspects of drumming as well as drum focused ethnomusicology and the value placed on drumming for spiritual and healing pursuits.
Books Links to relevant web pagesIn this section, you will find references to rhythm based practices with focus on therapeutic benefits allowing you to expand your knowledge base.
Other Relevant Sites MindfulnessThere is a growing body of evidence that appears to explain the underlying reason why playing group percussion is highly effective in improving our emotional and physical health. Group percussion is a mindful practice that combines physical, mental and emotional engagement. Mindful activity has been demonstrated to make positive changes in our emotional and physical health.
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“Rhythm is a heartbeat. It’s the first drum, a story in sound that reveals our imagination and celebrates our power. Rhythm is the common ground of the human family.”
-Tony Vacca
-Tony Vacca
Purpose of Rhythm Research and Resources
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This site is dedicated to rhythmic percussion and the wide range of benefits beyond simply listening enjoyment. Throughout history, group percussion has been recognized as enhancing health and a healing practice. In recent years, these effects have been recognized and seriously studied by the scientific community in the western world.
These studies have statistically demonstrated a range of benefits; including improvement in many mood states as well as physiological changes; including boosting the immune system and even changing and rebuilding brain matter. This ongoing research around the world, has developed a growing amount of evidence of the therapeutic effects of drumming. However, the documentation is scattered across many journals, research reports, scholarly papers, dissertations and books making it easy to overlook the vast amount of evidence that group percussion is an effective and inexpensive way to significantly mitigate, and even reverse, many symptoms of distress and lead to positive changes to our health and well being. Even for those not in distress, drumming has been shown to be an effective way to promote wellness and reduce the chances of distress, disease, and disorder. Playing rhythms is a mindful practice that significantly reduces the effects of long term stress on the body. Mindful practices have been linked to the the same range of positive effects as well as promoting the reversal of cellular degeneration. ( Search for telomerase and telomeres on this site) |
"It is hoped that this collection of resources will aid in the awareness, recognition, and promotion of rhythm as a healing practice, or activity, that is easily available, inexpensive, and joyfully engaged in. "
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Site prepared and maintained by Peter Scheer, MS, NCC, and Health Rhythms Facilitator. A drummer for many years, Peter has been drawn to evidence based studies of drumming and rhythms, trauma informed therapy, and sound therapy. Peter holds masters degrees in mental health counseling and engineering, and works as a therapist offering weekly therapeutic drumming groups at an in-patient setting. This web site is his attempt to provide an easy to use resource of scholarly works of the therapeutic effects of group drumming. Please share freely.
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Sincere thanks to Drum Circle Facilitators Guild for ongoing support since 2018!
