Communal Drumming for Mental Health During COVID-19

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By AZA Allsop, MD, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Yale University

Disqualifiers: Ages 15 and younger

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 8 weeks

90 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the idea that Communal Drumming for Mental Health During COVID-19 is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that communal drumming can improve mental well-being. For example, a study on African drumming with adults who have mood disorders found positive effects on mental health. Another study in a pediatric hospital showed that group drumming increased positive feelings and decreased negative ones among patients, families, and staff. These findings suggest that communal drumming can be a helpful treatment for improving mental health, similar to other music-based therapies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for communal drumming as a mental health treatment?

The study titled 'Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a drum circle activity to improve affect in patients, families and staff of a pediatric hospital' suggests the safety of group drumming activities. Although the primary focus was on affective improvements, qualitative results indicated the activity's safety. Other studies focused on mental well-being improvements, but did not explicitly address safety data. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Is Communal Drumming a promising treatment for mental health during COVID-19?

Yes, Communal Drumming is a promising treatment for mental health. It has been shown to improve well-being, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase social resilience. It also has potential biological benefits by reducing inflammation, which is linked to many mental health conditions. ^{1 2 4 6 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Mental health vulnerability due to stress is increased America due to disproportionate effects of social factors such as racism, poverty, education, and criminal justice sentencing. Various meditation and mindfulness approaches have provided evidence of measured reductions in multiple negative dimensions of stress. However, the majority of these studies do not have an adequate representation of Persons of African Descent(PAD) or other marginalized groups and are not designed to be culturally relevant or community based. Music has been shown to alleviate multiple symptoms of stress and has been shown to be a preferred and effective support for meditation and mindfulness. However, its role in stress management in PADs engaged in meditation or mindfulness is seldom studied. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a community-based music mindfulness program on stress management in PAD community members with anxiety and depression during COVID19. Component 2c. Drum Circle Study: Investigators will study the impact of participation in drum circles on anxiety and feelings of connectedness.

Research Team

AZA Allsop, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Yale University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Persons of African Descent (PAD) who are experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression during COVID-19. It aims to be culturally relevant and community-based. Participants should identify with PAD communities and be interested in meditation or mindfulness as a stress management tool.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 16 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

I am 15 years old or younger.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants attend weekly drum circle sessions for 8 weeks, which may include audio recordings and physiological measurements

8 weeks

8 visits (in-person)

Focus Group

Participants provide feedback on their experience with the mindfulness intervention in a focus group

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Communal Drumming

Trial Overview The study is testing the impact of communal drumming on mental health issues like anxiety and feelings of connectedness among PADs. One group will participate in live drum circles while another may listen to recordings of communal drumming.

Participant Groups

Group I: Drum Circle- Cohort 1 Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Cohort 1 will listen together to recordings of drumming and be allowed to drum along while listening. The facilitator will lead participants in procedures such as checking in (e.g. "How are you doing today?" before and after the circle) and breathing exercise.

Group II: Drum Circle Control Group- Cohort 2 Active Control 1 Intervention

Control investigations will also be conducted to better understand the contribution communal drumming has on effects of anxiety and connectedness. All control investigations will take place in the same space and at the same frequency as the associated experimental arm but with no drumming. All participants will be asked to complete the same surveys and at the same frequency to those completed in the experimental arm.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Yale University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,963

Recruited

3,046,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Findings from Research

Group drumming interventions significantly enhance multidimensional well-being for both mental health service users and their carers, impacting emotional, psychological, and social aspects of their lives.

Participants reported benefits across six key themes, including positive emotions, a sense of control, achievement in musical goals, deep engagement, improved self-identity, and stronger social connections, highlighting the therapeutic potential of music in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting well-being through group drumming with mental health service users and their carers. Ascenso, S., Perkins, R., Atkins, L., et al.[2018]

A study involving 48 patients, 16 employees, and 15 visitors at a pediatric hospital found that group drumming significantly increased positive feelings and decreased negative feelings after participating in drum circle sessions.

Qualitative feedback indicated that the drum circle activity was safe and provided additional benefits, supporting its potential as a valuable tool for improving well-being in pediatric hospital settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a drum circle activity to improve affect in patients, families and staff of a pediatric hospital. Archambault, K., Porter-Vignola, É., Brière, FN., et al.[2021]

A music group activity led by clinical staff without formal music therapy training was implemented in an Australian acute mental health inpatient unit, showing positive effects on consumers' mood, relationships, and overall engagement.

Focus group discussions revealed that the music activity improved social connectedness, inclusion, and the ward atmosphere, indicating that even informal music interventions can be beneficial in acute mental health settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sound practice: Exploring the benefits of establishing a music group on an acute mental health inpatient unit. Hall, TL., Mullen, A., Plummer, J., et al.[2019]

The pilot study involving 13 adult psychiatric inpatients showed significant improvements in mood and well-being after participating in an occupational therapist-led African drumming group, indicating a large clinical effect.

Participants with higher levels of anxiety and depression experienced the most benefit, and all participants reported high enjoyment from the drumming sessions, suggesting that this intervention could be effective for acute mood disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Immediate Effect of African Drumming on the Mental Well-Being of Adults With Mood Disorders: An Uncontrolled Pretest-Posttest Pilot Study. Plastow, NA., Joubert, L., Chotoo, Y., et al.[2019]

A randomized controlled trial with 40 hospitalized COVID-19 patients showed that a single session of music therapy significantly reduced anxiety levels compared to standard care, with anxiety scores dropping from 45.00 in the control group to 34.50 in the music therapy group.

Music therapy also improved oxygen saturation levels in patients, with the treatment group showing an average O2Sat of 97.50 compared to 96.00 in the control group, indicating its potential as a beneficial non-pharmacological intervention for COVID-19 patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of single session receptive music therapy on anxiety and vital parameters in hospitalized Covid-19 patients: a randomized controlled trial. Giordano, F., Losurdo, A., Quaranta, VN., et al.[2022]

A 10-week group drumming intervention significantly reduced depression and anxiety while improving social resilience and mental wellbeing among participants, with effects maintained at a 3-month follow-up.

The study also indicated a shift from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory immune profile in participants, suggesting that group drumming may have beneficial biological effects alongside its psychological benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Group Drumming Interventions on Anxiety, Depression, Social Resilience and Inflammatory Immune Response among Mental Health Service Users. Fancourt, D., Perkins, R., Ascenso, S., et al.[2022]

A 12-week drumming intervention led by school counselors significantly improved social-emotional behavior in low-income fifth-grade students, with 101 participants showing reductions in various problems such as anxiety, attention issues, and depression compared to a control group.

The study highlights the effectiveness of using group drumming as a non-stigmatizing therapeutic tool, promoting positive youth development and enhancing interactions between students and counselors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of group drumming on social-emotional behavior in low-income children. Ho, P., Tsao, JC., Bloch, L., et al.[2021]

A qualitative study involving 39 mental health patients and carers revealed that group djembe drumming enhances recovery by fostering non-verbal communication, connection to life through rhythm, and a grounding experience that generates energy.

The group setting of the drumming intervention promotes feelings of belonging, safety, and new social interactions, while the inclusive learning environment encourages creativity and reduces the fear of making mistakes, supporting mutual recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Making music for mental health: how group drumming mediates recovery. Perkins, R., Ascenso, S., Atkins, L., et al.[2020]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promoting well-being through group drumming with mental health service users and their carers. [2018]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a drum circle activity to improve affect in patients, families and staff of a pediatric hospital. [2021]

3. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sound practice: Exploring the benefits of establishing a music group on an acute mental health inpatient unit. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Immediate Effect of African Drumming on the Mental Well-Being of Adults With Mood Disorders: An Uncontrolled Pretest-Posttest Pilot Study. [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of single session receptive music therapy on anxiety and vital parameters in hospitalized Covid-19 patients: a randomized controlled trial. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Group Drumming Interventions on Anxiety, Depression, Social Resilience and Inflammatory Immune Response among Mental Health Service Users. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of group drumming on social-emotional behavior in low-income children. [2021]

8. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Making music for mental health: how group drumming mediates recovery. [2020]