Why playing an instrument or singing in a choir can keep your brain healthy in middle age
- Scientists looked at people’s music experience and the health of their brains
- Playing an instrument – especially the piano – has been linked to better memory
They say rock stars live fast and die young.
But playing a musical instrument throughout life has been linked to better brain health in older adults.
Scientists from the University of Exeter reviewed data from more than a thousand adults aged 40 and over who took part in the Protect study, which aims to understand how the brain ages.
They looked at how much experience people had with music – whether it was playing an instrument or singing in a choir.
The team also examined their brain health, including mental processes that help with planning, concentrating, remembering and juggling tasks – known as executive function.
Playing a musical instrument throughout life has been linked to better brain health in older adults
The researchers found that playing any instrument – specifically the piano – is linked to improved memory and better executive function.
Singing was also associated with better brain health, but the researchers said social factors of being part of a group may also play a role.
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 investigate the relationship between cognitive performance and music in a large cohort of older adults.
‘Overall, we think that being musical can be a way to tap into the brain’s agility and resilience, known as cognitive reserve.
‘Although more research is needed to investigate this relationship, our findings indicate that promoting music education would be a valuable part of public health initiatives to promote protective lifestyles for brain health, just as encouraging older adults adults to return to music later in life.
‘There is considerable evidence for the benefit of music group activities for people with dementia, and this approach could be expanded as part of a healthy aging package for older adults to enable them to proactively reduce their risk and improve the health of the elderly. to promote the brain.’
Commenting on the research, Caroline Scates, Deputy Director of Admiral Nurse Development at Dementia UK, said: ‘The results of this study are positive and reflect similar research into the benefits of both listening to and playing music for people with dementia .
‘Music can provide a valuable form of communication for people with dementia, including listening to music that the person can connect with even in the later stages of the condition.
‘The ability to make or play music – by singing or playing an instrument – can persist even when people with dementia have lost other skills and means of communication.
‘If you know someone with dementia who enjoys singing or playing an instrument, it can be helpful to keep these instruments or sheet music on hand so they can play or read.’