Restorative Rhythms: drumming as healing

ABSTRACT

Thirty people who were either in treatment, or in remission, from cancer and their caregivers participated in a therapeutic drumming clinic called Restorative Rhythms. As music has been proposed as a significant way to reduce stress and stimulate feelings of happiness and empowerment, it is therefore a valuable tool for coping with illnesses like cancer. 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. This social, creative environment became a means to express the emotions participants were otherwise having trouble expressing, as well as a positive outlet for coming to terms with their “new normal” through music.

KEYWORDS:

• Music
• cancer
• posttraumatic growth
• leisure

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.