USATODAY.com - Patients, doctors more open to alternative medicine: "• A study led by neurologist Barry Bittman of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, Pa., found that patients who took part in group drumming, or drum circles, experienced increased levels of disease-fighting immune system cells called natural killer cells.
Bittman, who also has done research on the medical benefits of laughter, tested blood chemistry of 111 healthy people in a series of experiments. Participants in all groups experienced a drop in cortisol, an indicator or stress, Bittman says, but only the group of active drummers had a significant increase in natural killer cells.
He attributes the change to the stress-reducing benefits of self-expression, camaraderie and the rhythmic drumming. He says group drumming is being incorporated into stress-reduction programs in workplaces and medical centers."
