PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT OR SINGING CAN HELP BRAIN DEFEND AGAINST DEMENTIA

It’s no secret music has many hidden powers. Studies have revealed how our favourite tunes can do everything from making us feel happier to making children brighter in school. A new study (University of Pittsburgh) finds participating in music — through singing or using an instrument — can help the brain ward off the effects of cognitive decline. Researchers say music boosts the brains of patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or those with mild cognitive impairment. They add music therapy also improves their quality of life and mood.

In trials involving 500 people, music therapy lasted between 30 minutes and two hours, with the participants attending sessions once to five times a week. All in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, these individuals also underwent examinations for anxiety and depression during the study. Researchers say the results showed “the cognitive functioning scores of older adults with probable mild cognitive impairment or dementia … were statistically significantly different than those who did not.â€

SOURCE: https://bit.ly/3ubQZG7

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