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Lexington drumming program helps those with Parkinson's disease

Members of the Bluegrass Parkinson's Alliance enjoy a Drums Alive class.
Cheri Lawson
Members of the Bluegrass Parkinson's Alliance enjoy a Drums Alive class.

On most Tuesday afternoons in a large second-floor room at St. Luke United Methodist Church, a group of people who have Parkinson’s disease enjoy a wellness program that combines drumming, music, and movement.  Participants for Drums Alive sit in a semi-circle. They all use wooden drumsticks and keep the beat to the music on large grey rubber exercise balls.

Certified music therapist Caleb Posey leads the Drums Alive class with members of the Bluegrass Parkinson's Alliance.
Cheri Lawson
Certified music therapist Caleb Posey leads the Drums Alive class with members of the Bluegrass Parkinson's Alliance.

Caleb Posey leads the Drums Alive class for the Bluegrass Parkinson’s Alliance, a non-profit organization that provides resources and support to those affected by Parkinson’s Disease.

 The 26-year-old is a board-certified music therapist with a background in drumming and said he has specific training in Drums Alive.

Posey said this program is designed for anybody interested in using drumming to improve their wellness.

“There’s physical engagement, cognitive stimulation. It’s a whole-body activity. But, we tailor it for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers to work on things specific to Parkinson’s. So, like upper body control, lower body control, coordination, balance, and it’s also just a good full body workout,” said Posey.

Members of the Bluegrass Parkinson's Alliance, Bill and Barry attend the Drums Alive class on Tuesdays.
Cheri Lawson
Members of the Bluegrass Parkinson's Alliance, Bill and Barry attend the Drums Alive class on Tuesdays.

Drums Alive is recognized as an international program with thousands of classes held worldwide. The program was developed by a woman named Carrie Ekins over 20 years ago. From kindergarten physical education classes to senior citizen centers, all kinds of organizations benefit from the experience. Karen Watanabe-Sakamoto is Ekins business partner with Drums Alive in North America.

" What she's done is she's created a program that can be done by anyone of any age of any ability to really, truly experience the power of music, the power of movement, and have a way of expressing their emotions,everything from happy to anger and then to calm and peace.," explained Watanabe-Sakamoto.

University of Kentucky Professor Austin Robinson said he, along with a research team, developed the protocol being used for Drums Alive to help people with Parkinson’s. Robinson calls Drums Alive an aerobic, drumming exercise program.

“I found that the exercise combined with the drumming makes it more engaging, is kind of what the idea of the program is. But for the musical side of it, uses some of the aspects from music therapy about using music to connect, engage and socialize. So, like this class is designed to be a social group. So, we’re trying to hit all of those aspects of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional engagement,” explained Robinson.

During the Drums Alive class, participants sometimes use pool noodles instead of drumsticks.
Cheri Lawson
During the Drums Alive class, participants sometimes use pool noodles instead of drumsticks.

Instructor Caleb Posey said he frequently incorporates a musical game into the class that stimulates thinking. He said his background in music therapy helps him optimize what the class offers.

“From my training as a music therapist I know that exciting and motivating music experiences are associated with increases in dopamine levels in the brain and dopamine is also involved with Parkinson’s. So, there’s an overlap with the brain chemistry and the rhythm that is required to play with Drums Alive can encourage the production of dopamine when you play in synchrony with other people and you synchronize with a beat,” said Posey.

Laura Soldato is the executive director of the Bluegrass Parkinson's Alliance.  She’s responsible for scheduling the classes and raising funds so members of the Alliance can take the class for free.  

“Not only do you have the physical, you also have a mental exercise that’s going on in this class. And then studies also prove that listening to upbeat music is very good for your mental health. So, we have also seen a great mental benefit to people that attend Drums Alive regularly," said Soldato.

  Mark Woodward said he’s been living with Parkinson’s for about 15 years. He said the class is fun and a good social experience.

“It releases a lot of energy, a lot of stress and anxiety. You can take it out on the drums. When I first started this class, I couldn’t use my right hand to make the stick crawl up my hand and I can do it now. Having practiced here at Drums, I can now walk the stick up my hand,” said Woodward.

Mark Woodward gets a lot out of attending Drums Alive.
Cheri Lawson
Mark Woodward gets a lot out of attending Drums Alive.

 Barry Bingham and Bill Crawford list several positives of the class. Like most members of the Bluegrass Parkinson’s Alliance, the men enjoy the social aspect.

“I think I get as much out of the friendship, in my opinion. We’re Parkinson’s now. We’re a family. And you show up for them as much as they do for you,” said Bingham.

“  It’s really good to form a bond of togetherness. We help each other out,” said Crawford.

Drums Alive instructor Caleb Posey said he makes the class as engaging, and personal as possible. For members of The Bluegrass Parkinson’s Alliance, the class is free and held on Tuesday afternoons.

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Cheri is a broadcast producer, anchor, reporter, announcer and talk show host with over 25 years of experience. For three years, she was the local host of Morning Edition on WMUB-FM at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Cheri produced and hosted local talk shows and news stories for the station for nine years. Prior to that, she produced and co-hosted a local talk show on WVXU, Cincinnati for nearly 15 years. Cheri has won numerous awards from the Public Radio News Directors Association, the Ohio and Kentucky Associated Press, and both the Cincinnati and Ohio chapters of the Society for Professional Journalists.
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