Playing Musical Instruments or Singing Could Be the Best Medicine Against Dementia
EXETER, United Kingdom — Engaging in musical activities such as playing an instrument or singing in a choir has been found to have significant cognitive benefits, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Exeter. The study highlights the positive impact of lifelong musical engagement on brain health in old age.
The researchers, aiming to promote musical education as a public health initiative, utilized data from the online PROTECT study, which involved over 1,000 adults aged 40 and above. With over 25,000 participants, the PROTECT study has been ongoing for more than a decade.
By examining participants’ musical experiences and lifelong exposure to music, the study unveiled compelling findings regarding the relationship between musical activity and cognitive health. In particular, playing a musical instrument, especially the piano, was found to enhance memory and executive function skills, which encompass essential cognitive abilities such as planning, goal-setting, self-control, and maintaining focus amid distractions.
The study also highlighted the positive impacts of singing in a choir, which not only contributes to cognitive health but also offers social benefits. These findings provide valuable insights for the promotion of music education as part of public health initiatives, benefiting individuals of all ages and encouraging older adults to continue engaging with music in later life.
Professor Anne Corbett, a Dementia Research expert at the University of Exeter, expressed the significance of the study, stating, 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. Professor Corbett also emphasized the importance of further research to delve deeper into this relationship.
Stuart Douglas, a 78-year-old accordion player from Cornwall and member of the Cober Valley Accordion Band and the Cornish Division of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, shared his belief that playing music has helped maintain mental acuity for himself and his bandmates. Through their performances at Memory Cafés, which support individuals with dementia and their caretakers, they have witnessed firsthand the positive effects of music on individuals with memory loss. Douglas, who learned to play the accordion in his youth and continued playing throughout his career in the police force, stated, As older musicians ourselves, we have no doubt that continuing with music into older age has played an important role in keeping our brains healthy.
The study, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, serves as a testament to the cognitive benefits of musical engagement and encourages the integration of musical education into public health initiatives worldwide. By embracing music, individuals of all ages can tap into the brain’s agility and resilience, promoting a protective lifestyle for brain health.
In conclusion, playing musical instruments and singing in choirs have been shown to have profound positive effects on brain health, especially as individuals age. As research continues to highlight the cognitive benefits of music, it is clear that musical education should be considered an integral part of public health initiatives aimed at promoting brain health and a fulfilling life for individuals of all ages.
