Science proves: Music reduces the risk of dementia in the elderly by 39%.

(Dan Tri) - A large-scale study of more than 10,000 elderly people found a strong link between exposure to music and a significantly reduced risk of cognitive decline.

Researchers at Monash University conducted an extensive study to assess whether " music- related leisure activities" could reduce the risk of dementia and dementia-related cognitive impairment (CIND).

The study focused on 10,893 adults aged 70 and older and showed promising results. The study showed that exposure to music had clear benefits, especially for those who maintained a regular routine:

Listening to music regularly: Reduces the risk of dementia by 39% and cognitive decline by 17%; Playing a musical instrument: Reduces the risk of dementia by 35%; Combined (listening to music and playing music): Reduces the risk of dementia by 33%.

Music was also positively associated with overall cognition and everyday memory (episodic memory) in older adults. These results highlight that lifestyle choices, such as listening to music, can promote cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.

Music is an accessible, healthy lifestyle strategy to protect brain health in old age (Photo: Depositphotos).

Although this is an observational study and only establishes an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship, scientists believe the mechanism is related to the way music affects the brain.

Exposure to music has been shown to stimulate multiple brain regions that support memory, emotion, and attention, all important processes that need to be maintained as we age.

A previous study from Northeastern University showed that songs that evoke feelings of nostalgia can activate brain regions important for cognitive function.

The researchers saw improvements in connectivity between the auditory network and the reward system, as well as precision in the behavioral control network.

This suggests that songs that evoke memories or excitement may be the best source of "auditory nutrition" for the brain.

“These results highlight music as a potential, promising, and accessible strategy to help reduce cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia in old age,” the researchers concluded.

Growing evidence suggests that brain aging is not only dependent on age and genetics, but can also be positively influenced by a person's own environmental and lifestyle choices.

Adding a little music to your daily life can be one of the simplest yet most effective decisions you can make to keep your mind sharp.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/khoa-hoc-chung-minh-am-nhac-giam-39-nguy-co-mat-tri-nho-o-nguoi-lon-tuoi-20251113023249998.htm