Hearts that drum together beat together

Researchers have found that in a structured group drumming task aspects of participants’ heart function synchronized. In a subsequent improvisational drumming task, groups with high physiological synchrony in the structured task showed more coordination in drumming. The data show that behavioral synchronization and enhanced physiological synchronization while drumming each uniquely predicts a heightened experience of group cohesion. Additionally, higher physiological synchrony predicts enhanced group performance in a subsequent, different group task.