A new study from the University of Exeter has found an uplifting tune for older adults: playing music might just be the secret to maintaining a healthy brain as you age.
The research is part of the PROTECT study, an online initiative focused on people over 40.
It examined data from more than a thousand adults to explore the impact of musical activities – like playing an instrument or singing in a choir – on brain health.
With over 25,000 participants enrolled in the PROTECT study over the past decade, the researchers had a wealth of information to work with. They delved into the participants’ musical backgrounds and their cognitive abilities.
The goal was to see if those melodious hobbies could help keep the brain sharp in later years. Their findings are published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
What they found was music to the ears of musicians and music lovers alike. Playing an instrument, especially the piano, showed a strong connection to better memory and enhanced problem-solving skills, or what experts call ‘executive function.’
This effect was even more pronounced in those who continued their musical journey into older age. Singing also showed benefits, potentially boosted by the social aspects of participating in choirs or music groups.
Professor Anne Corbett, a specialist in Dementia Research at the University of Exeter, highlighted the significance of this study.
It builds on existing research about music’s positive effects on the brain, offering a fresh perspective from a large group of older adults.
The idea is that musical engagement could be a key to unlocking cognitive reserve – the brain’s ability to adapt and stay agile.
The social and cognitive benefits of group music activities have already been observed in individuals with dementia, indicating potential for broader applications in healthy aging strategies.
A testament to these findings is Stuart Douglas, a 78-year-old accordion enthusiast from Cornwall. Stuart, who has been playing since his boyhood days in a mining village in Fife, continued his musical passion through his career in the police force and beyond.
Now, he actively plays with the Cober Valley Accordion Band and the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society’s Cornish Division. For Stuart, playing music is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to stay mentally active and engaged.
He has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of music on people with memory loss, especially during performances at memory cafes.
This study strikes a hopeful chord, suggesting that a life filled with music might just be a key ingredient in the recipe for a healthy, vibrant mind in our golden years.
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For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and strawberries could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease
The research findings can be found in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
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