A recent study suggests that continuing to play a musical instrument, particularly the piano, into later life is associated with a sharper brain.
Conducted by researchers, including those from the University of Exeter, UK, the study examined data from over a thousand adults aged 40 and above to explore the impact of playing musical instruments or singing in a choir on brain health.
The findings, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, reveal that the benefits of playing a musical instrument include improved memory and enhanced executive functions, which involve better problem-solving abilities.
The research also indicated that singing was linked to better brain health, although the researchers noted that this association may be influenced by the social factors of being part of a choir or group.
The study assessed participants' musical experience and lifetime exposure to music, alongside cognitive testing results. The participants were part of the larger PROTECT study, spanning a decade and involving over 25,000 individuals.
Study author Anne Corbett, Professor of Dementia Research at the University of Exeter, suggested that being musical could be a way to harness the brain's agility and resilience, known as cognitive reserve. While more research is needed to delve deeper into this relationship, the study highlighted considerable evidence for the benefits of music group activities for individuals with dementia.
Corbett emphasised the potential for promoting musical education as part of public health initiatives to foster brain health. Encouraging older adults to re-engage with music later in life could contribute to a protective lifestyle for brain health, she noted.
The study's findings hint at the positive impact of musical activities on cognitive functions in ageing individuals, emphasising the potential role of music in promoting overall brain health and well-being.
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