Performance of music elevates pain threshold and positive affect: implications for the evolutionary function of music.
Dunbar, Kaskatis,  MacDonald

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Recreational music-making alters gene expression pathways in patients with coronary heart disease
Bittman, Croft, Brinker, van Laar, Vernalis, Ellsworth

Human stress and relaxation responses may be controlled by different molecular pathways. Relaxation through active engagement in Recreational Music Making may be more effective than quiet reading at altering gene expression and thus more clinically useful for stress amelioration.

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African drumming a holistic approach to reducing stress and improving health?
​ Smith, Carine; Viljoen, Jeandre T.; McGeachie, Lauren

Participation in drumming significantly decreased the Stress Anxiety Index scores acutely, both in a middle-aged (P < 0.01) and younger population (P < 0.001). SBP was significantly decreased in the older population post-drumming (141 ± 24 vs. 153 ± 26 mmHg; P < 0.01). Blood lactate levels remained below 4 mmol/l in all individuals and together with heart rate suggest that drumming may be categorized as low-to-moderate intensity exercise.​

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Restorative Rhythms: drumming as healing
Justin Harmon  & Alexandra Arpajian

Because people who are diagnosed with cancer often have trouble expressing their emotions, music can be used as an accessible channel for this necessary release. In addition to the inability to express internalized emotions derivative of the diagnosis or due to the requirements of the treatment regimen, patients often lose their sense of agency; creative expression like therapeutic drumming can help them regain their autonomy. ​

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Recreational music-making modulates natural killer cell activity, cytokines, and mood states in corporate employees 
​Masatada Wachi, Masahiro Koyama, Masanori Utsuyama, Barry B. Bittman, Masanobu Kitagawa, Katsuiku Hirokawa

​Anxiety/Depression         Workplace Wellness

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Effects of Group Drumming Interventions on
Anxiety, Depression, Social Resilience and Inflammatory Immune Response among  Mental Health Service Users       
​Daisy Fancourt, Rosie Perkins, Sara Ascenso, Livia A. Carvalho, Andrew Steptoe

​Anxiety/Depression         Workplace Wellness

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COMPOSITE EFFECTS OF GROUP DRUMMING MUSIC THERAPY ON MODULATION OF NEUROENDOCRINE-IMMUNE PARAMETERS  IN NORMAL SUBJECTS
​Barry B. Bittman, Lee S. Berk, David L. Felten,  James Westengard,  O. Carl Simonton

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