Learning to Play a Musical Instrument Linked to Dementia Prevention
As we age, many of us face fears of developing dementia or losing our cognitive abilities. In fact, fear of developing Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia are among the top age-related health concerns according to the Global Brain Health Institute (1). More and more studies suggest that learning to play a musical instrument – and continuing to practice and train on that instrument as you age – may be a fun and easy way to prevent dementia and protect your brain from cognitive decline (2).
A 2022 study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, compared brain imaging for two similar groups of elderly individuals – one group took piano lessons for six months, the other group did not. The study found that the group who learned to play the piano showed little to no changes to the microstructure of the white matter in their brains, while the group that did not study piano showed structural changes consistent with cognitive decline (3).
For years people have been studying the association between music training and positive effects on brain function and mechanics. As we’ve learned more about the human brain, and as brain imaging quality has continued to improve, the body of evidence pointing to the brain benefits of playing musical instruments has continued to grow.
As a musician, music teacher, and music studio owner, I have personally seen the benefits that music training can have in the lives of adults who take up a new instrument or return to playing an instrument they played in their youth. Many people are exposed to music, musical instruments, and singing as young children. As people grow into adulthood, it’s common for their lives to become busier which leaves less time for artistic and creative pursuits like music. I’ve noticed, however, that many empty nesters and retirees who suddenly find themselves with more time on their hands, are instinctively drawn back to their musical roots.
At Chambers Music Studio, we’ve seen people start anew with lessons on an instrument they haven’t picked up for decades. We’ve also seen people who always wanted to play an instrument, but were never afforded the opportunity, use the extra time they finally have in retirement to start lessons. In both instances, we have the joy and honor of watching these students experience a sense of accomplishment at learning a new skill and the sense of pleasure that comes with making music.
Confidence, joy, discipline, teamwork, skill building, time management, and so much more are happy and valuable byproducts of music training, no matter the age of the trainee. Science now suggests that we can add “cognitive preservation” to this list of benefits for older adults.
It seems that after a certain age, it is common to both have more time on your hands and spend more time worrying about the possibility of developing dementia. An accumulating body of research, combined with my own anecdotal experience, suggests learning to play a musical instrument may be the perfect remedy for both.
*This article first appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of The Bexley Magazine.
