Playing an instrument linked to better brain health in older adults (medicalxpress.com)

submitted 9 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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Engaging in music throughout your life is associated with better brain health in older age, according to a new study published by experts at the University of Exeter.

Scientists working on PROTECT, an online study open to people aged 40 and over, reviewed data from more than a thousand adults over the age of 40 to see the effect of playing a musical instrument—or singing in a choir—on brain health. Over 25,000 people have signed up for the PROTECT study, which has been running for 10 years.

The team reviewed participants' musical experience and lifetime exposure to music, alongside results of cognitive testing, to determine whether musicality helps to keep the brain sharp in later life.

The paper, "The relationship between playing musical instruments and cognitive trajectories: Analysis from a UK aging cohort," is published in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

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[-] JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works 17 points 9 months ago

I hope they can prove causation not just correlation. Playing an instrument would usually mean you have more free time, which would mean you're likely better off financially, witch has a whole lot of health benefits. But if they can separate instrument playing from that correlation, that'd be cool to see that instruments actually help.

[-] Yokozuna@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago

Yea, most musicians are generally not that well off and have as much free time as you think. Most still work some sort of regular job to offset the cost of living and equipment because they won't make the money they need to survive solely off of the money from gigs. They do it because they love it and not because they're making tons of money and have ample free time. Their hobby is music, so whatever downtime they have from regular life, they fill it with playing and writing music. If you're fortunate enough to be signed to a label, you're on the road for months out of the year gigging and constantly immersed in your music, and that definitely isn't a health benefit either. There is a thing down here called the Musicians Clinic - musicians don't have a typical job and therefore don't have access to medical insurance like they would if they worked a 9-5 with benefits, so it supplements that to keep them healthy.

Source: from New orleans, have family that plays music for a living, play live music myself, and know tons of gigging musicians.

[-] Zoboomafoo@slrpnk.net 6 points 9 months ago

The study referenced cites another study that showed the causation in kids for music and cognitive skills. So it's a good question to ask

[-] Excrubulent@slrpnk.net 2 points 9 months ago

Hank's Razor: if something can be explained by socio-economic status, it's probably that rather than the thing that you're measuring.

[-] state_electrician@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 9 months ago

I thought it's very clear that anything that keeps your brain busy and forming new pathways is good for you. Playing an instrument, frequent social interactions, trying new things, working out, not getting stuck in your routine. Basically stuff that's good for people of all ages.