Listening to or playing music over 75 linked to up to 39% reduction in dementia risk, study of over 10,800 finds

Listening to music when you are over 70 years of age has been linked to a 39 per cent reduction in the risk of dementia, according to a Monash University-led study of over 10,800 older people.

The study, led by Monash honours student Emma Jaffa, and Professor Joanne Ryan, looked at the benefits of listening to music or playing music in people aged over 70, finding that always listening to music compared with never/rarely/sometimes listening to music was associated with a 39 per cent decreased risk of dementia. While playing an instrument was associated with a 35 per cent reduction in dementia risk.

This study used data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study, and the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) sub‐study and was published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

The study found that always listening to music was associated with the greatest reduction in dementia risk, with a 39 per cent lower incidence of dementia and 17 per cent lower incidence of cognitive impairment, as well as higher scores in overall cognition and episodic memory (used when recalling everyday events). While regularly engaging in both music listening and playing was associated with a 33 per cent decreased risk of dementia and 22 per cent      decreased risk of cognitive impairment.

According to Ms Jaffa     , the findings of the study “suggests music activities may be an accessible strategy for maintaining cognitive health in older adults, though causation cannot be established,” she said.

Population ageing has become a global public health concern due to advances in medicine and technology extending human lifespans, and this longer life expectancy has also meant an increase in the prevalence of age‐related diseases, including cognitive decline and dementia.

With no cure currently available for dementia, the importance of identifying strategies to help prevent or delay onset of the disease is critical,” senior author Professor Ryan said.

“Evidence suggests that brain ageing is not just based on age and genetics but can be influenced by one's own environmental and lifestyle choices. Our study suggests that lifestyle-based interventions, such as listening and/or playing music can promote cognitive health.”