Music may Help Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment

In older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, active music-making can provide cognitive benefits and also improve their quality of life and mood, says study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The analysis included nine studies with a total of 495 participants. The authors noted that music-based interventions could potentially provide millions of older adults with critical support for their cognitive, emotional, and social well-being.

‘Music improves mood in older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia.’

"We are excited to see these results because participating in music, like singing in a choir or playing in a drum circle, is a safe, engaging activity that our research demonstrates can support cognition at a critical time for older adults facing cognitive decline," said lead author Jennie L. Dorris, MM, of the University of Pittsburgh.

Source: Eurekalert