Communal Drumming for Mental Health During COVID-19

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By AZA Allsop, MD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Yale University

Disqualifiers: Ages 17 and younger

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how communal drumming can help manage stress in People of African Descent (PADs) with anxiety and depression during COVID-19. The researchers aim to determine if listening to recordings of drum circles (communal drumming recordings) can foster feelings of connection and reduce stress. Participants, either musicians or non-musicians, will listen to synchronized or unsynchronized drum segments. The study seeks PAD community members who struggle with anxiety and depression and have an interest in mindfulness and meditation practices. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative stress management techniques through music and mindfulness.

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

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

What prior data suggests that communal drumming is safe for mental health?

Research has shown that communal drumming is generally safe for participants. In similar studies, people have not reported serious side effects from joining drum circles. Instead, many have experienced benefits such as reduced anxiety and a stronger connection with others. These results are encouraging, especially since the goal is to use music to help manage stress and improve mental health. As this trial does not involve a new drug or surgery, the risks remain very low. Participants in the drumming sessions can expect a safe and supportive environment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about communal drumming recordings for mental health because they offer a unique and non-invasive way to foster social connection, which is especially vital during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike traditional treatments for mental health, such as medication or therapy, this approach taps into the power of music and rhythm to potentially enhance feelings of connectedness and well-being. The study explores whether the synchronization in drumming can amplify these feelings, offering insights that could lead to innovative mental health interventions.

What evidence suggests that communal drumming recordings might be an effective treatment for stress management in PADs?

Research has shown that drumming in a group can greatly improve mental health by boosting well-being and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. One study found that participants in group drumming felt mentally better and socially stronger after six weeks. Another study discovered that drumming can lower stress and enhance feelings of connection. This trial will explore these benefits by having participants listen to communal drumming recordings. Participants will be divided into two groups: musicians and non-musicians. Both groups will listen to segments of recordings from previous drum circles and answer surveys about their feelings of connection. These findings suggest that group drumming could be a helpful way to manage stress, especially for those facing unique cultural and social challenges. ^{2 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

AZA Allsop, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Yale University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for People of African Descent (PADs) in America who are experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly due to the impacts of racism, poverty, education disparities, and criminal justice issues. It's designed to be culturally relevant for PADs.

Exclusion Criteria

I am 17 years old or younger.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in a virtual, community-based music mindfulness program, including listening to drum circle recordings and completing surveys on connectedness and synchrony.

4 weeks

Virtual sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in stress and connectedness after the intervention.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Communal drumming recordings

Trial Overview The study tests a virtual music mindfulness program using communal drumming recordings. It aims to see if this approach helps manage stress among PAD community members during COVID-19 by fostering feelings of connection.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Non-musicians group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Non-musicians will listen to segments (\~30 sec duration) of recordings taken from the music made during the previous drum circle and answer a survey asking how connected they felt while listening.Segments will be categorized as highly synchronized or not synchronized..

Group II: Musicians group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Musicians will listen to segments (\~30 sec duration) of recordings taken from the music made during the previous drum circle and answer a survey asking how connected they felt while listening.Segments will be categorized as highly synchronized or not synchronized.

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

Music therapy is being increasingly utilized to support the health and well-being of military personnel, particularly for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury, as evidenced by a review of 27 publications.

The most common music intervention reported was drumming, and while the literature generally represented music therapy accurately, there are significant gaps in the research, including low evidence levels and insufficient focus on women service members.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music Therapy With Military Populations: A Scoping Review. Gooding, LF., Langston, DG.[2020]

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]

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]

Drum-Assisted Recovery Therapy for Native Americans (DARTNA) is being developed as a culturally appropriate substance abuse treatment, with focus group feedback indicating it could be beneficial for American Indian/Alaska Native individuals with substance use disorders.

Key themes from the focus groups highlighted the importance of drumming benefits, cultural relevance, gender roles, and traditional practices, suggesting that these factors should be integrated into the DARTNA protocol to enhance its effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Utilizing drumming for American Indians/Alaska Natives with substance use disorders: a focus group study. Dickerson, D., Robichaud, F., Teruya, C., et al.[2023]

Participants in a mindfulness-based music therapy intervention reported feeling relaxed and connected, with in-person sessions fostering a stronger connection to music and family compared to virtual sessions.

While virtual delivery of the intervention was more feasible, in-person sessions were preferred, highlighting the importance of format in enhancing the therapeutic experience for young adults undergoing cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring Young Adults' Perspectives of Participation in a Mindfulness-Based Music Therapy Intervention Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Phillips, CS., Bockhoff, J., Berry, DL., et al.[2023]

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]

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]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6041820/

Promoting well-being through group drumming with mental ... We explore the extent to which group drumming interventions translate into multidimensional well-being change for both mental health service users and carers.

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-mental-health-issue-7-2024-20155

Communal Drumming for Mental Health During COVID-19 This study aims to evaluate the effects of a virtual, community-based music mindfulness program on stress management in PAD community members with anxiety and ...

3. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/324534/evaluating-the-community-drum-circle/

Evaluating the Community Drum Circle This study aims to evaluate the effects of a community-based music mindfulness program on stress management in PAD community members with ...

4. jslhe.journals.publicknowledgeproject.org jslhe.journals.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/jslhe/article/download/185/87/729

Mental Health Benefits of a Service-Learning Group ... More specifically, after six-weeks of group drumming, results showed significant improvements in depression, social resilience and mental wellbeing among ...

5. psywb.springeropen.com psywb.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13612-016-0048-0

Making music for mental health: how group drumming ... The objective of this article is to elucidate the features of a programme of group drumming known to enable mental health recovery.

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06513858?aggFilters=funderType:nih,status:not%20rec&cond=COVID-19&term=mental,%20depression,%20anxiety&rank=2

NCT06513858 | Evaluating the Community Drum Circle The investigators also propose a study to investigate the effects of communal drumming in reducing anxiety and increasing connectedness within drum circle ...

7. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-covid-19-7-2024-eeb63

Communal Drumming for Mental Health During COVID-19 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 ...