I was first introduced to taiko drumming as a child and I knew it was unique. I apprehensively approach the large leather drum head with thick drumsticks and I get an instant feeling of empowerment as I produce a large booming noise with one strike. My friends and I practiced taiko every week for our community performance. Our large body motions and synchronized vocal chants during the performance were choreographed to match the powerful presence of the taiko drums. As a timid child, every time I played in unison in the other performers, I gained confidence.

As an Occupational Therapist, I see the tremendous therapeutic potential of this unique and meaningful activity. By practicing taiko, participants engage in large amplitude movements, full extensions, trunk rotation, variation of volume and tempo, and forceful vocalizations. Through learning about managing symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), I grew convinced that the practice of taiko could have therapeutic benefits for the PD community.

I designed a recreation class for individuals with PD and their care partners with performing members of San Jose Taiko, a professional performing company and one of the first taiko groups in North America. As pilot classes turned to 8-week sessions, we found that taiko drumming is indeed an attractive recreational option for individuals with PD who are looking for ways to be active, manage their symptoms, and build personal connections within a safe and supportive community.

At the 5th World Parkinson’s Congress in Kyoto, Japan, I presented a poster, “Taiko drumming for individuals with Parkinson's disease: Performing artists partner with OT to promote community wellness”. Being surrounded by thousands of delegates from around the world inspired me to learn about various therapeutic techniques. Excited to continue developing our taiko program in San Jose, we shifted our approach to integrate mind-body practices and completed two successful 8-week sessions. The classes are currently online due to the global pandemic, but we look forward to the day when we can safely gather at the taiko studio again.

During these classes, I see there is something special that fosters empowerment, connectedness to others, and self-efficacy. I am excited to share insights from participants to find out what draws them to taiko and what impact it has on them as an individual with PD. The following highlights Barbara’s experience:

Like everyone with Parkinson’s, I am constantly refining and working on a regimen for managing my condition. I was inspired early on by The Brain’s Way of Healing (Dr. Norman Doidge), which opened my eyes to the possibility of neuroplasticity, and more recently by the website outthinkingparkinsons.com. The latter explores things like understanding the role of the central nervous system, the cranial nerves, the stress-disease connection, etc., all from a holistic perspective that I’ve directly experienced in my own journey.

After some research and a bunch of trial and error, my current self-prescribed program includes a combination of meditation, craniosacral therapy, and a thoughtful mix of exercises designed to promote neuroregeneration and keep me strong. This includes things like biking (per my neurologist’s suggestion), conscious walking (see Norman Doidge’s book), tai chi (for balance and immune system), and as of last year, Taiko Drumming.

After my first Taiko class last year I actually cried. I wasn’t sure exactly why, but it was as if the energy that was *frozen* inside for a long time was finally released. Certainly, Taiko shares many benefits with other forms of exercise, e.g. big movements, cross body, vocalization, and community… but I found there was something different about Taiko. First - it was fun! I can’t honestly say that about many forms of exercise, some of which require a lot of mental and physical WORK. When I get into the rhythm of Taiko, it’s like my body is *working* without feeling like it’s work. Joy is a critical component of PD therapy!

That’s when Sydney and I started talking about the neuroscience of Flow. Flow, as defined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is the state of concentration or complete absorption with the activity at hand. It’s like being “in the zone”, where nothing else matters and you forget your worries, forget your body, and even forget time. For me, this is what happens with Taiko. The sound of the Taiko drum is like a call to be present, the rhythm carries me, and I am totally in the moment. I can almost feel neuroregeneration occur, but in a relatively effortless and relaxed manner.

Could it be that Taiko - through Flow - actually helps the central nervous system relax enough so the body and brain start working together? That’s what we’re beginning to explore.

In any case it seems that Flow, when at work, is the opposite of freeze. And that promotes healing.

Sydney Shiroyama, OTR/L, is an Occupational Therapist in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is exploring the therapeutic benefits of taiko drumming and consults with local and international taiko groups.

Barbara Rice is a marketing consultant in San Jose, California, with practical experience with Parkinson’s. She is focused on exploring methods to promote neuroregeneration and overall healing.

More information about San Jose Taiko’s PD classes:
https://www.taikoconservatory.org/taikoforpd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxcHsLD5y4Q&feature=emb_title

This research was first shared as an abstract at the WPC 2019 in Kyoto. WPC is pleased to support abstract authors by sharing their ongoing work. Digital files of WPC abstract books can be downloaded from the past three Congresses HERE.

Ideas and opinions expressed in this post reflect that of the author(s) solely. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the World Parkinson Coalition®