A recent article in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry explores benefits of playing musical instrument for cognitive health in later life. The article is here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.6061.
On an intuitive level this has been known, but it’s good to have a controlled study broadly confirming it while adding some interesting details. For example, simply listening to music did not appear to help cognitive health. Our take away is that it has to be a motor activity – a movement, for the music to contribute to longevity of cognitive health. One may argue that it’s the colossal motor (movement) input generated during the music playing that stimulates the brain and keeps it in good shape.
In the same vein, Awareness Through Movement(R) classes are creating an onslaught of sensory input through movements. This is one of the things “Awareness” stands for. But of course, the movements “have to be moved”, not just discussed. Remember, simply listening to the music is not enough.
Acture FM 