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Background: Music has been significant in healing practices in Turkish history, yet its applications in modern music therapy need research. The potential of percussion instruments such as kaşık in therapeutic contexts is limited. Kaşık is a percussion instrument in folk Turkish music and dance. This workshop examines kaşık as an instrument and its potential modern music therapy applications.

Objective: This poster presents a workshop model that shows how cultural instruments can be meaningfully integrated into music therapy, aligning with the theme of Culture & Health.

Methods: Five-step structure of the kaşık percussion workshop:

1. Historical overview of cultural music traditions.
2. Instrument introduction.
3. Hands-on participation: playing techniques, folkloric rhythmic patterns, and use of instruments toward therapeutic goals.
4. Therapeutic applications: discussion on the use of kaşık in music therapy.
5. Q&A and reflection on the workshop and potential therapeutic applications in both clinical and community settings.

Results: The kaşık workshop took place shortly before the conference. The updated findings indicate that the expected outcomes include enhancements in motor skills, cognitive engagement, group cohesion, attention, group-making, non-verbal communication, and connection.

Conclusions: This workshop showcases an example of the connection between health and culture.