Engaging in musical activities, such as playing an instrument or singing in a choir, stimulates the brain in a manner akin to acquiring a new language, suggests a recent study. This research indicates that individuals with a musical inclination, particularly those over the age of 40, exhibit enhanced performance on cognitive tests.
For individuals who have been involved in musical pursuits, the benefits may extend well into later stages of life. The study, which surveyed approximately 1,000 adults averaging 68 years of age, analyzed cognitive test outcomes among those who had either currently or previously participated in musical activities.
The findings revealed that individuals who had engaged in musical endeavors, even if only for a brief period many years ago, demonstrated notably superior performance on memory, reasoning, and executive function tests compared to their counterparts without prior musical experience. These results, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, suggest a potential link between musical engagement and the promotion of brain health as individuals age.
“We believe that playing an instrument or taking part in singing activities challenges the brain and builds connections in the brain that help it work better and protect it from damage later on,” senior study author, Anne Corbett, PhD, said. She is a professor of dementia research at the University of Exeter in England.
Musical Training Offers Same Benefits as Language Learning
Engaging in activities that continually challenge the brain, such as learning a second language or solving daily crossword puzzles, is akin to the cognitive benefits observed in a lifelong pursuit of music, according to Dr. Corbett. The positive impact on brain health is most pronounced when individuals consistently immerse themselves in music over the course of their lives, preferably through formal lessons. However, even a few years of singing or playing an instrument during youth can still yield cognitive advantages.
Notably, the study identified the piano as an instrument that appeared to offer the most cognitive benefits. While singing showcased similar benefits to playing an instrument, the researchers suggested that some of these advantages might be attributed to the social aspects of participating in a choir rather than the act of singing itself.
It is important to note that the study focused on individuals who already possessed some experience in playing instruments or singing. Consequently, the results do not definitively indicate whether taking up music for the first time in middle or old age would confer similar cognitive benefits.
“People may get benefit from challenging their brain by starting to learn an instrument. We know that taking part in brain training is beneficial, so this would be similar,” Corbett said. “However, we don’t have evidence to support that.”
The Study Limitations Posed
A constraint of the research lies in the fact that a significant majority (89 percent) of the participants possessed current or past experience in playing a musical instrument or in singing. This demographic skew potentially undermines the ability to discern meaningful variances in certain cognitive functions due to a lack of representation from non-musical individuals.
Moreover, the study did not address a crucial aspect of the relationship between music and cognitive function: the impact of passive engagement, such as listening to music. Nonetheless, Sebastian Walsh, a public health researcher at the University of Cambridge in England, who was not affiliated with the study, emphasizes that incorporating music into one’s life carries no known adverse effects or drawbacks.
“Engaging with music, and music playing, is generally an enjoyable and often social activity and it has many benefits for well-being,” Walsh said. “It looks as if it can also have a small boosting effect on your brain function.”
What’s more, it’s safe for anyone to try and possible to do so without shelling out tons of cash, Walsh added. “So rather than trying to precisely quantify benefits for any given individual, we could simply ask: Why not get involved if it’s fun and it might help?”
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