RESEARCH ARTICLE

The Use of Rhythm and Drumming to Improve Reading Fluency and Comprehension

Steven Angel.1 Stephen Sideroff.2 

• .1Drumming For Your Life Institute 
• .2Departments of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Rheumatology, Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
•  

Corresponding Author: Stephen Sideroff, Departments of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Rheumatology, Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. E-mail: [email protected]

Received: November 05, 2024                                                   Published: December 18, 2024

Citation: Stephen S. The Use of Rhythm and Drumming to Improve Reading Fluency and Comprehension. Int J Complement Intern Med. 2024;6(1):293–299. DOI: 10. 58349/IJCIM. 1. 6. 2024. 00144

Copyright: ©2024 Sideroff S. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons AttributionLicense, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.

Abstract 

Reading fluency and comprehension are important factors in many markers of success later in life including health, employment and addiction. Reading programs have historically shown poor results in improving levels of reading. In this research, we applied a novel approach involving the use of drumming and rhythm to unlock the literacy potential of struggling students. Two hundred and ninety-three subjects were recruited from detention camps and juvenile hall, while 25 4th grade public school students comprised the other training. The Reading & Rhythm program was presented over a six-week period. Results of the study demonstrated significant improvement in both reading fluency and reading comprehension. These results show great promise for a program that can help students improve reading literacy and thus give them support and a greater opportunity for future success. 

Keywords: drumming, reading fluency, social emotional learning, academic language therapy association, reading and rhythm framework

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