As the number of people living with dementia continues to rise, scientists are looking for ways to prevent or delay the disease, and playing a musical instrument could be one approach worth exploring. It seems so.
A team led by researchers at the University of Exeter in the UK analyzed data from 1,107 people aged 40 and over who had not been diagnosed with dementia, and analyzed data on cognitive and self-reported musical abilities, whether they play an instrument or sing. mapped. Choirs and their music listening habits.
Analysis showed “significant improvements” in working memory and performance. executive function Who played an instrument, the relationship between singing and executive function, overall musical ability and working memory, and more. There was no comparable improvement based on music listening habits.
“There has been a lot of research into the effects of music on brain health.” To tell Anne Corbett is a cognitive psychologist at the University of Exeter. “Overall, we think being musical can be a way to tap into the brain’s agility and resilience, known as cognitive reserve.”
This idea of cognitive reserve is exactly what it sounds like: a buffer against the effects of aging. The idea is People with greater cognitive reserve, built up in part through lifestyle choices and activity, are less susceptible to diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Despite the strong associations shown here, they do not prove causation. Other factors may also be at play. For example, someone with a higher income may be able to afford both music lessons and a higher quality diet. And it could be your diet that’s improving your brain’s performance.
However, it makes sense that playing a musical instrument can help keep the brain moderately active, and this link has been found in several areas. previous research This also makes it more likely that something is going on here.
“Although further research is needed to explore this relationship, our findings demonstrate that promoting music education is a valuable part of public health efforts to promote lifestyles that protect brain health, and that promoting This is the same as encouraging people to return to music later in life.” To tell Corbett.
If you’re thinking of learning to play an instrument or returning to it, cognitive gains are greatest for keyboards, and those who played the ivories generally did much better at all three working memory tasks. showed good performance.
For all instruments, the benefits of continuing to play late in life increased.
One of the people the researchers contacted was Stuart Douglas, a 78-year-old from Cornwall, England, who plays the accordion in a band. He supported the idea that playing an instrument regularly could keep his mind sharp in his later life.
“We perform here regularly memories cafe We see the impact our music has on people with memory loss, and as older musicians ourselves, we know that continuing music into old age plays an important role in maintaining brain health. There is no doubt about it. ” To tell Douglas.
This research International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.