Research
Evidence-Based, Research-Backed
Drums Alive® is the original and only evidence-based drumming fitness, health, wellness program that provides a “Whole Brain & Whole Body” workout which promotes physical, social, emotional, and cognitive health at all life stages. We work directly with research teams at the University of Chemnitz, Germany, Texas State University, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, University of Kentucky, and Oxford Brookes University to prove the claims we make of its effectiveness.
The Drum Beat Chemnitz Drumming Research Project with Drums Alive
In 2010 Drums Alive® took part in a scientific study THE DRUM BEAT Chemnitz Drumming Project a worldwide, unique research project that was created to answer scientific questions as well as derive and evaluate social and medical measures using the characteristics of drumming and movement. The Drum Beat was inspired by a research project of the University of Gloucestershire and University of Chichester, titled the “Clem Burke Drumming Project” where for the first time worldwide investigations on the physical demands of drumming/percussion were established. The Chemnitz University of Technology [CUT] was invited to participate in this collaborative research thus extending the research focus by using cognitive parameters alongside many others.
The Drum Beat strives to investigate the broader application of drumming, movement and exercise with an interdisciplinary team of scientists, musicians, teachers, physicians, therapists and communal authorities. The teams are working towards establishing interventions and structures to provide positive effects using the common language of drumming and movement. Drums Alive®, the first fitness trend that combines drumming and movement through a multi-modular approach was identified as one of the key interventions of study for its practicality and holistic approach. The Drum Beat is investigating and applying all aspects of drumming in one inter-disciplinary project to benefit of society in the context of physical and mental health, social challenges, intercultural aspects, music and education.
At Drums Alive, we are firmly committed to on-going research and we are honored to play an active role in this effort to provide programming that is evidence-based. We don’t merely refer to or cite others’ research studies, we work closely with the research teams in developing the research protocols and we exercise great care to ensure truthful, unbiased outcomes and reporting.
Here’s a listing of other research projects we’re involved with:
Adults/General Fitness
Drums Alive has been published with Palaestra (Website: www.palaestra.com, Manuscript: Ms#17-024) in December 2018 with the following title: “Drums Alive®: A Research-Based, Multi-Disciplinary Drumming Fitness Approach to Brain and Body Health and Wellness”
Drums Alive® – Interventions in Healthy Adults & Seniors and Children
Children/ Diverse Abilities
Palaestra (2018) Palaestra MS#17-022
Texas State University under the guidance of Dr. Lyn Litchke has researched the Drums Alive DRUMTASTIC® program and published the following articles:
Willemin, T. A., Litchke, L. G. Liu, T., & Ekins, C. (2018). Social Emotional Effects of Drumtastic : A Dyadic Within – Group Drumming Pilot Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder International Journal of Special Education, 33(1), 94-103
International Journal of Special Education, 33(1), 94-103._Dr. Litchke
Litchke, L. & Finley, C. (June 2018, in review). The Effects of Drumtastic Ability Beats Dyadic Partnership Between a College Veteran with PTSD and an Elementary Special Education Student: A Case Report. Therapeutic Recreation Journal.
Litchke, L. & Bracken, M. M. (June, 2018, in review). A qualitative study on the social-emotional benefits of Drumtastic Ability Beats for children with autism spectrum disorder. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities.
Litchke, L., Dorman, R., Willemin, T., & Liu, T. (June 2018, in review). Mental Health Benefits of a Service-Learning Group Drumming Between College Students and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education.
We continue to work with Texas State University and are currently researching the DRUMTASTIC – Academic Beats programs such as: Rhythm in Motion, Character Education in Motion and hope to continue researching our Science in Motion, Mathematics in Motion modules.
Effects of a Drums – Alive ® Intervention in Children with Developmental Delays
Seniors
Oxford Brookes University in England and University of Kentucky in the USA have joined forces and are collaborating on: “Drums Alive, on driving performance, reaction time, and Cognition” under the leadership of Dr. Peter Wright and Prof. Nathan Johnson.
Drums Alive Golden Beats Improves Brake Onset Time in Older Adults
Drums Alive Golden Beats Improves Functional Reach in Older Adults
Influence of a drum alive / Golden Beats – intervention on fall behavior
Feel free to contact us at hello@drums-alive for more information and copies of the research posters and articles.