Playing an instrument linked to better brain health in older adults
Engaging in music throughout your life is associated with better brain health in older age, according to a new study published by experts at the University of Exeter.
Scientists working on PROTECT, an online study open to people aged 40 and over, reviewed data from more than a thousand adults over the age of 40 to see the effect of playing a musical instrument—or singing in a choir—on brain health. Over 25,000 people have signed up for the PROTECT study, which has been running for 10 years.
The team reviewed participants’ musical experience and lifetime exposure to music, alongside results of cognitive testing, to determine whether musicality helps to keep the brain sharp in later life.
The paper, “The relationship between playing musical instruments and cognitive trajectories: Analysis from a UK aging cohort,” is published in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
The findings show that playing a musical instrument, particularly the piano, is linked to improved memory and the ability to solve complex tasks—known as executive function. Continuing to play into later life provides even greater benefit. The work also suggests that singing was also linked to better brain health, although this may also be due to the social factors of being part of a choir or group.
Anne Corbett, Professor of Dementia Research at the University of Exeter said, “A number of studies have looked at the effect of music on brain health. Our PROTECT study has given us a unique opportunity to explore the relationship between cognitive performance and music in a large cohort of older adults. Overall, we think that being musical could be a way of harnessing the brain’s agility and resilience, known as cognitive reserve.” https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-01-playing-instrument-linked-brain-health.html
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