Sufferers of Parkinson's Disease can benefit from drum circle therapy, which has been introduced by the Malaysian Parkinson's Disease Association.

KUALA LUMPUR: Rajeswari Sinnathamby, 72, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, happily played the drum circle with one hand, achieving a steady rhythm.

Her brother, Ravichandran, said she used to feel insecure about having the degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, and worried about what others might say about her.

Pics above provided by MPDA: From left to right: Ravichandran, Rajeswari, Muhani Musa, Arthur Hull and Sara Lew

Ravichandran said his sister had difficulty expressing herself but everything changed after she joined the Malaysian Parkinson's Disease Association (MPDA).

Arthur Hull, a percussionist from California and drum circle facilitator was at the association at Happy Garden to conduct a session MPDA president Sara Lew Lai Heong decided to hold a drum circle session after she discovered drum circle therapy at World Parkinson's Day at Petaling Jaya City Council.

Lew said she met Muhaini Musa, a freelance community trainer and director and principal consultant of KLMM Sdn Bhd, and decided to introduce drum circle therapy in MPDA six months ago.

The pioneer of rhythm therapy, Hull has been a facilitator for 45 years. He said music has natural healing powers.

"When you play the drums, the vibrations activate the patient's system," said Hull. - By C. Premananthini

Read more: The drummer's healing hands http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/13aib/Article/#ixzz0rv5BZ5Bh

Pics by MPDA