A Simple Way to Improve Brain Function in Old Age Has Been Named 0 10

Learning to play musical instruments can improve memory and learning ability in older adults — especially when it comes to musical improvisation rather than memorizing melodies. This conclusion was reached by researchers from the University of Sheffield and Western Sydney University, who published their findings in the Royal Society of Open Science (RSOS) journal.

For the first time, scientists directly compared two approaches to music learning in individuals without musical experience: playing pre-composed melodies and improvisation, that is, creating new music 'on the fly.' Both methods positively affected cognitive functions; however, improvisation had a more pronounced effect — not only memory and learning improved, but also motor skills.

In the study, participants learned music from scratch over a period of 12 months — significantly longer than in most previous studies. The analysis showed that the growth of musical skills is directly related to the improvement of overall cognitive indicators, which weakens the argument that the benefits of music can be explained solely by initial personal characteristics.

Additionally, the researchers found that it does not matter whether a real instrument (such as a piano) or digital applications on a tablet are used. The key factor was how a person learns music. According to the authors, improvisation can become an especially valuable tool for maintaining brain health in older adults, including those who have difficulties with memory.