Playing a Musical Instrument Later in Life a Protective Factor Against Dementia

Many people know that learning to play a musical instrument as a young child benefits cognitive development and health of the developing brain. But what about learning to play a musical instrument as an adult?

A recent study published in the International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease has revealed that playing a musical instrument throughout adulthood has been linked with reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. 

The extensive research involved 157 sets of twins, all over the age of 65, who participated in a Swedish study. The study is unique in the fact that it only recruited sets of twins where only one twin had been diagnosed with a form of cognitive impairment or dementia. By conducting the research on sets of twins, the researchers were able to control a significant number of genetic and environmental factors. This meant that the research could determine risk factors that were unique to the twin with dementia, as well as protective factors exclusive to the healthy twin.

The main focus of the study was to determine whether playing or learning a musical instrument later in life was a protective factor against dementia. A lifestyle questionnaire was completed by all participants. The questionnaire was based around the participant’s experience of musical instruments and whether they were familiar with music, their frequency of playing, whether they still played or stopped playing at a specific age. None of the participants identified themselves as a professional musician.

Out of 157 sets of twins (314 individuals), 31 individuals identified that they played a musical instrument. When further research was conducted on these 31 individuals, 27 were found to be cognitively healthy, while only four had dementia. When researchers analysed this particular group of twins, they found that those that played a musical instrument in adulthood had a 64% lower chance of developing a cognitive impairment or dementia.