Stephanie G. Mathis Parents have been telling their children for generations to practice their instruments. Learning an instrument not only correlates with higher educational attainment, but also cognition, and even Intelligence. Does this musicality translate into better cognition in later life?
In a recent study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, this question was investigated by asking people of middle age and older to fill out a questionnaire about their musical experiences before completing cognitive tests. The results revealed that people with more musicality had better executive function, memory, and self-control than those who were less musical.
It is crucial to have a good memory when playing an instrument. This includes playing music by memory. When playing an instrument, the executive function is also required. This translated into improved cognitive performance.
The results were similar regardless of the instrument played or the musical ability of the participants, even though most of them had only played for a few short years.
The difference was whether participants played an instrument today or in the past. Current amateur musicians showed the best cognitive performance.
It makes sense, as engaging in cognitively stimulating activity, like playing an instrument for three years in primary school, will continue to benefit our brain health. However, this may not be the case later on in life when we have played the recorder. What about being musical but not playing an instrument?
Singing has become a popular musical activity because it allows people to join musical groups such as choirs without having to learn an instrument. Does singing have the same cognitive benefits as playing an instrumental instrument?
The study found that singing could result in improved executive function, but not memory. This suggests that playing an instrument has additional benefits for brain health.
It is unclear why singing could help with our executive functions, and further research is needed. Singing in choirs has a social benefit, and it is well-known that social interaction is beneficial to our brain.
The “Mozart Effect”
What about listening to music alone? Does music improve our cognition, and possibly brain health?
Many people may remember the “Mozart Effect”, which was based upon a study that appeared in Nature published in 1993, showing that students scored higher in intelligence tests when Mozart was played.
The original study has been controversially debated to this day.
Mozart will not make your child smarter. Shutterstock
Unfortunately, this study did not find any association between music listening and cognitive performance. The cognitive stimulation we receive depends on our active participation in various activities. Passively listening to music does not seem to have any cognitive benefits.
According to a study, playing an instrument or singing may benefit our brain health as we age. It is still unknown if this will also prevent cognitive decline or dementia in the future.
It is not yet clear if the study’s findings can be applied to the entire population because the majority of the participants were women, well educated and wealthy.
Even so, if we consider the cognitive and social benefits that come with learning an instrument or joining a choir as we age, it may be worthwhile to continue this type of cognitive stimulation. We would make our parents proud.
