Listening to music and playing instruments may significantly reduce dementia risk among older adults, with a recent study indicating a nearly 40% lower risk for those over 70 who engage with music regularly.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, has revealed that older adults who enjoy music have a significantly lower risk of developing dementia. Specifically, individuals aged 70 and above who regularly listen to music are nearly 40% less likely to experience cognitive decline associated with dementia, a group of disorders that impair memory, thinking, and other mental abilities.
The study found that those who consistently engaged with music demonstrated a 39% reduction in dementia risk. Additionally, older adults who played musical instruments showed a 35% lower risk of developing the condition. The researchers, led by Monash honors student Emma Jaffa and Professor Joanne Ryan, noted that combining both listening to and playing music provided an even greater protective effect against cognitive decline.
“With no cure currently available for dementia, the importance of identifying strategies to help prevent or delay onset of the disease is critical,” said Professor Ryan in a statement. “Evidence suggests that brain aging is not just based on age and genetics but can be influenced by one’s own environmental and lifestyle choices.”
The study tracked more than 10,800 adults aged 70 and older over several years, gathering data on their music listening and playing habits. Participants were asked how often they engaged with music, with responses ranging from always to never. The findings, published last month in the *International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry*, indicate that regular engagement with music not only lowers the risk of dementia but also reduces the likelihood of mild cognitive impairment by 22%. This impairment is less severe than dementia and is characterized by noticeable memory issues.
According to the World Health Organization, dementia currently affects approximately 57 million people worldwide. The results of this study suggest that music could serve as a simple yet effective means of protecting cognitive function, although the researchers caution that their findings do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
“Music activities may be an accessible strategy for maintaining cognitive health in older adults, though causation cannot be established,” the researchers noted. The benefits of music were particularly pronounced among older adults with higher education levels, specifically those who had completed at least 16 years of schooling. Results were mixed for individuals with a moderate level of education.
This research adds to a growing body of evidence indicating that engaging in creative, social, and mentally stimulating hobbies—such as music, reading, and art—can contribute to maintaining brain health in later life. A 2022 meta-analysis from researchers in the U.S. and Japan reported similar benefits for older adults who play musical instruments.
Dr. Morten Scheibye-Knudsen, an associate professor of aging at the University of Copenhagen, emphasized the importance of mental stimulation but also noted that the science surrounding it is not yet definitive. “In general, it is advised to train your brain, but the data is actually not that clear,” he remarked in a recent interview with BBC Science Focus. He acknowledged that while studies on activities like music, puzzles, or learning new skills have yielded mixed results, there are additional benefits to playing an instrument, such as increased social interactions, which are crucial as individuals age.
As researchers continue to explore the relationship between music and cognitive health, the findings from this study highlight the potential of simple lifestyle changes to protect brain health in older adults.
Source: Original article