Research Article Summary Thoughts

Article Summary (The boring stuff)

This article titled: "The short term effect of a group drumming intervention on aggressive
behavior among adolescent girls diagnosed with conduct disorder" utilized a experimental, randomized pre-test post-test control group design to look at the effect of drumming on aggressive behavior. The instrument used to measure the change in aggression was a self-rated measure called the Aggression Scale (AS)39. The participants of this study were 26 girls between 13 and 18 years old who were previously diagnosed with a conduct disorder. 13 of the girls were given the drumming intervention while the other 13 continued with their daily regular program. 10 drumming sessions were spread over the course of three weeks. Each girl was given a set of African Djembe drums for the duration of each drum session. After the drumming intervention, the median aggression score for the girls in the experimental group decreased from 20 to 7.

My thoughts on the study (The, hopefully, less-boring stuff)

So, from a researcher standpoint, the sample size was small, there could be other reasons why their aggression decreased (they enjoyed spending time with peers, etc.,) yada yada. So, technically, there isn't much concrete evidence here to speak of...

BUT- yes I started this sentence with a conjunction- I think that the decrease in aggression could be due to the drumming AND the socialization, AKA group therapy. This is interesting for a couple reasons: first, it shows the effectiveness of music as an emotional outlet. This is something I experience every time I pick up my guitar or sing a note. This aptitude for being an emotional outlet is not exclusive to music however; any leisure occupation has this same potential. Conveying the importance of leisure to a third-party payer may be a cumbersome process, but choosing to ignore a client's leisure pursuits and interests is a far more grave concern. Second, as illustrated by every 12-step program since Noah took Mr. and Mrs. Goat off the ark, there is strength in numbers! The synergy created by individuals working toward a common goal, in my opinion, just can't be matched by individual therapy. We are relational beings; it's the fabric of each of us. We should allow that to augment every aspect of our lives-including and especially our therapeutic practices.

References

Elize, J. R., Rialda, H., Cornel M, v. R., Monique B, C., Carina, v. M., Lucinda, P., & ... Tarina, B. (2016). The short term effect of a group drumming intervention on aggressive behaviour among adolescent girls diagnosed with conduct disorder. South African Journal Of Occupational Therapy, (2), 16. doi:10.17159/2310-3833/2016/v46n2a4