Name:Emily Pivovarnik

School/Affiliation:The Ohio State University

Co-Authors:Marcelo Rosales, PhD, Jill Heathcock, PhD, MPT

Virtual or In-person:In-person

Short Bio:

Emily Pivovarnik, MM, LPMT, MT-BC, is a second year PhD student in the College of Medicine, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The Ohio State University, where she is a member of the Pediatric Assessment and Rehabilitation Laboratory under Dr. Jill Heathcock. She holds a bachelor's degree in music therapy from Montclair State University and a master's degree in Music Therapy from Florida State University. She has over 6 years of clinical experience providing music therapy interventions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her research focuses on music therapy interventions to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm and high-risk infants. She is a research fellow of the National Institute for Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy.

Abstract:

Motivation: Music supports cognition and motor coordination. Drumming, a motor task engaging both upper extremities, offers a unique modality to address auditory-motor integration. Many developmental disabilities affect upper extremity coordination, making drumming a potentially valuable tool. This study analyzed drumming patterns to determine the feasibility of behavioral coding to quantify motor and cognitive behaviors across the lifespan.

Methodology: A film by artists Lenka Clayton and James Price featuring 100 individuals aged 1 to 100 drumming was analyzed using Datavyu behavioral coding software. Key variables included upper extremity technique (unilateral vs. bilateral), grasp type, and latency between vocalization and drum strike.

Results: Among participants, 53% used unilateral strategies, and 46% bilateral strategies. 93% struck with their right hand. Symmetrical grasps were noted in 57% of bilateral strikes. Grasp type included fist (11.5% left, 25.5% right), thumb (21.5% left, 24.5% right), pointer finger (13.5% left, 3% right), pincer (36.5% left, 27% right) and between finger (17% left, 19% right). Vocalization analysis showed 43% vocalized their age before striking, 2% after, 4% during, and 51% did not vocalize. The range of latency to drum hits was 0.2 - 7 seconds.

Implications: Behavioral coding of drumming was possible at all ages. These findings demonstrate that coding music-based motor tasks is feasible across the lifespan and can provide insight into perceptual, cognitive, and motor engagement. Such methodologies may enhance the rigor of music therapy research and support therapeutic assessment and intervention for those with motor or cognitive impairments.