A Monash University team analyzing data from more than 10,800 adults over 70 found that listening to music most days was associated with a 39% lower likelihood of dementia; playing an instrument or singing was associated with a 35% lower risk.
People who listened to music most days also had a 17% lower incidence of cognitive impairment, higher overall cognitive scores and better episodic memory. Those who regularly both listened to and played music had 33% lower dementia risk and 22% lower cognitive-impairment risk.
Co-author Emma Jaffa said participants were not asked which genres they listened to, so the researchers could not compare styles. Whether listening to music is associated with cognitive decline in people younger than 70 remains a question for future research.
