Several studies have shown that this activity can help the long-term memory of older adults.
From the age of 40, the brain starts to lose volume because of the cognitive impairment that comes with aging. However, a recent study revealed that learning to play an instrument could help slow down this process and may even improve the health of this organ.
Learning to play an instrument requires constant practice. To begin, you must choose an instrument of choice and you can choose between taking private lessons or simply learning through social networks, since there are thousands of videos that teach how to play different songs.
How playing an instrument affects the brain, according to experts
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The reduction in brain size is due to loss of neurons and the connection between them, called synapses. However, according to research published by the International Journal for Geriatric Psychiatry, carrying out activities that keep the brain active helps slow down the process of cognitive decline caused by diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Learning an instrument stands out especially, since it was also associated with helping improve working memorywhich is responsible for carrying out complex cognitive tasks such as understanding language, reasoning or solving problems. This same study found that musician participants had greater long-term memory than other individuals.
Different experts assure that playing an instrument is one of the best activities for an older adult since this requires the use of all parts of the brainsince in many cases bimanual coordination is used. In fact, a study conducted in 2022 revealed that several older adults who took piano lessons for 6 months showed better connectivity in regions related to language and memory.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
