The BBC has produced an on-line guide detailing the health benefits of playing a musical instrument.

It features research from a Japanese university that found playing a musical instrument can have health benefits — with research carried out on older adults taking drumming lessons that found that they had higher than average white blood cell counts — vital for effective immune system responses.

Joy of music

The guide is part of the BBC's Get Playing campaign, encouraging everyone to experience the joy of playing music.

The research about the benefits of drumming was carried out by the Tokyo Medical & Dental University, with Dr Victoria Williamson explaining why the white blood cell result may have come about in the study.

One theory is that engaging with music influences bodily functions like breathing and blood flowDr Victoria Williamson

Theory

"One theory is that engaging with music influences bodily functions like breathing and blood flow," she said. "Better regulation of these systems in turn might lower the chances of harmful activity within the body's sympathetic nervous system, sometimes known as our stress response or 'fight or flight'."

The guide also reveals why playing an instrument has a positive impact on the brain and body, and examines how hand-eye coordination improves along with fine hearing skills which can help people track voices in noisy spaces.

Find out more

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/iwonder-drumming