University of Texas Health San Antonio Student Occupational Therapy Association

Group drumming may be used to promote/support the occupations of Play, Social Participation, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (health management and maintenance), and Rest & Sleep. Rest & Sleep are supported by decreasing stress. Sensory skills (propriocetion, vestibular, auditory, visual, tactile) are also targeted. Fine and gross motor skills, strength, and endurance including eye-hand coordination are strengthened. Holding a mallet and keeping fingers together/apart works on fine motor control.

Reference: Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (3rd Edition)

Journal  Publications/Abstracts

Basic Music Groups for the Unmusical Occupational Therapist

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

The short term effect of a group drumming intervention on aggressive behaviour among adolescent girls diagnosed with conduct disorder

Hard-Wired for Groups: Students and Clients in the Classroom and Clinic (Group Bucket Drumming, see pages 3-6)

Music as a Therapeutic Medium for Occupational Engagement: Implications for Occupational Therapy        

Should Music Be Used Therapeutically in Occupational Therapy

The Elders Drum Project: Enhancing Quality of Life for Long-Term Care Residents

Live Music Promotes Positive Behaviours in People with Alzheimer's Disease

Occupational therapy and the use of music tempo in the treatment of the mental health care user with psychosis

Music has potential as an adjunctive occupational therapy intervention for adults in hospitals to relieve pain, anxiety, and potentially reduce the use of analgesics

An Overview of Evidence-Based Support for the Therapeutic Use of Music in Occupational Therapy

Use of Electronic Music as an Occupational Therapy Modality in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: An Occupational Performance Model

The Meaning of Participating in a Group Music Intervention in Early Psychosis

REVIEWING THE ROLE OF MUSIC IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AGITATION IN PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: CAN IT BE ADDED TO THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TOOLKIT?

Efficacy of a Sound-based Intervention with a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Auditory Sensory Over-responsivity

The Effect of Music on Repetitive Disruptive Vocalizations of Persons With Dementia

Being Well, Being Musical: Music Composition as a Resource and Occupation for Older People

The Effect of Sound-Based Intervention on Children With Sensory Processing Disorders and Visual–Motor Delays

A Pilot Study of Integrated Listening Systems for Children With Sensory Processing Problems

Practice-Based Evidence Approach to Studying the Effectiveness of Therapeutic Listening®

Occupational Therapy & Music

                              Presentations 

The Effect of Drumming on Mental Well-being among Adults with Mood Disorders 

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