Music Therapy Helps Healthy Older Adults Feel Happier and Keep Their Minds Sharp, Finds New Study

New research published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences has found that taking part in musical activities improves thinking and mental well-being in healthy older adults.  
 
The study from researchers at Middlesex University provides new evidence of the benefits of music therapy, whether delivered one-to-one or in groups, for brain health in normal aging. The finding has implications for preventing cognitive decline in older adults through socially prescribed musical activities. 
 
The trial assigned 62 healthy adults aged 65 and over to four groups; three took part in 45-minute music therapy sessions, either one-to-one or in small or large groups, while the control group did not. Led by qualified music therapists, the weekly sessions guided participants to sing and clap along to music, and to try playing a musical instrument. 
 
People taking part, who were screened for dementia at the start of the trial, were recruited from groups run by Methodist Homes (MHA), a partner in the study, and other community groups. They underwent various rigorous tests before and at the end of the 20-week trial that assessed general cognitive function such as memory, attention, concentration, thinking skills and verbal fluency, as well as general wellbeing, depression, and sleep quality.

The trial found that all the participants in the music therapy sessions, whether one-to-one or in groups, showed statistically significant improvements in cognitive function over the course of the intervention while many cognitive test scores declined in the non-music therapy group. Furthermore, all the people receiving music therapy showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, while there was no change in the control group.  
 
“Music-based activities are commonly used in community settings, often with those who have cognitive impairment such as dementia, but ours is among the first randomized controlled trials to compare different formats of structured music therapy and rigorously examine the benefits on cognitive function and emotional wellbeing in healthy older adults,” said Emma Ward, PhD, an associate professor in psychology at Middlesex University and principal investigator on the study.
 
“Prior studies suggest a benefit of music-based activities for supporting cognitive function and wellbeing in normal aging, yet rigorously controlled trials with standardized outcome measures are scarce,” Ward added. “Our trial has provided reliable evidence that both individualized and group music therapy are beneficial for healthy older adults. Our hope is that this can be introduced in community settings to make a difference to the lives of older individuals and potentially protect against cognitive decline and depression.”   

Ward said further studies were needed into why musical activities boost cognitive function in older adults, although she believed active engagement was important.

“Participants in this trial were actively engaged with the music, whether that was clapping along or singing, or having a go at playing instruments. It is this active engagement which might be important for the protective effect.,” she said. 
 
Anthony Mangiacotti, MA, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher and lead on the study, said, “We showed that when music is applied in a structured and targeted way, as in music therapy, it can promote cognitive improvement and support mood in later life. This finding is particularly important in the context of prevention, highlighting the potential of music therapy interventions as a possible early strategy to support emotional well-being and reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. We hope these findings will encourage policymakers to recognize music therapy as a valuable part of healthy aging strategies in community and care settings.”

Clare Barone, MA, music therapy lead at MHA, said, “MHA has delivered music therapy services within its care home settings for over 17 years, primarily supporting individuals living with dementia. This study provided an opportunity to evaluate the application of music therapy for healthy older adults living in the community and to examine its potential contribution to healthy aging. The findings have enabled us to consider how existing service models may be adapted to better address community-based need. MHA advocates for music therapy as an effective non-pharmacological intervention, and the outcomes of this study have demonstrated a significant reduction in depressive symptoms across all intervention groups, further strengthening the value of music therapy in later life.”

Elizabeth Alcock, a 79-year-old who took part in the trial, said the music therapy sessions put a spring in her step and gave her a newfound interest in singing.

“My walking pace got faster and, while not exactly skipping along, I got a spring in my step again. I also noticed that I could recall my shopping list and appointments,” Alcock said. “A minor stroke had taken away my ability to read and play music, but the regular music therapy sessions prompted my memory and gave me the confidence to play a simple tune on a keyboard. In terms of singing, I could barely croak out a few notes at first but through the sessions, I found a new voice. Singing now puts a smile on my face, and I plan to join a local ‘singing for pleasure’ group.”
  
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The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences is a peer-reviewed publication of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), which was founded in 1945 and is the nation’s oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization focused on aging. It serves more than 6,000 members in over 50 countries. GSA’s vision, meaningful lives as we age, is supported by its mission to foster excellence, innovation, and collaboration to advance aging research, education, practice, and policy. GSA is home to the National Academy on an Aging Society (a nonpartisan public policy institute) and the National Center to Reframe Aging.