Effects of Drumming Lessons on Brain and Behavior in Children With Down Syndrome

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether drumming lessons can improve self-control and timing skills in children with Down syndrome, a condition caused by an extra or partial third 21st chromosome that leads to cognitive disabilities. This study focuses on children aged 7 to 15 and explores how two months of drumming lessons might enhance inhibitory control, which is important for daily tasks like following directions and decision-making. The research compares children who receive lessons early with those who receive them later to understand the effects of drumming on behavior and brain function. Participants are randomly assigned to either an experimental group that receives two months of drumming lessons taught by a professional drummer experienced with children with Down syndrome or to a control group that receives these lessons after initial testing. The drumming lessons include learning hand use on a djembe drum, alternating hands, and drumming to a metronome and music. The experimental group has two lab visits: one before and one after the lessons, while the control group has two lab visits before starting their lessons. During lab visits, children undergo brain recordings using a net-style cap, complete computer tasks, and drum along to music to measure inhibitory control and timing skills. Parents also complete standardized questionnaires about their child's social behavior. Researchers measure outcomes such as performance on the Zoo and Statue tasks, beat perception, and beat production over the two-month study period. The study continues until December 2027, allowing all children to benefit from drumming lessons while assessing their effects.

Drumming Lessons' Influence on Children With Down Syndrome