Music has always been a source of comfort, joy, and connection. Now, new research suggests it may also play a meaningful role in protecting long‑term brain health. A large Australian cohort study of more than 10,000 adults aged 70 and older found that regularly listening to or playing music was linked to a significantly lower risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.

What the Study Looked At

The research team analyzed data from the ASPREE and ALSOP studies, which follow older adults who were cognitively healthy at the start. Participants reported how often they engaged in music‑related leisure activities—such as listening to music or playing an instrument—and were then followed for several years to track dementia outcomes and changes in cognitive performance.

Key Findings

1. Listening to Music Showed the Strongest Benefits

• 39% lower dementia risk for those who “always” listened to music
• 17% lower risk of cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND)
• Better long‑term global cognition and memory

2. Playing an Instrument Helped Too

• 35% lower dementia risk for those who played often or always
• No significant improvement in cognitive test scores

3. Doing Both Provided Additional Protection

• 33% lower dementia risk
• 22% lower CIND risk

4. Benefits Were Strongest in Highly Educated Adults

Participants with more than 16 years of education saw the clearest protective effects. Results were mixed for those with 12–15 years of education.

5. No Change in Subjective Cognitive Wellbeing

Even though objective test scores improved, participants did not report feeling cognitively sharper.

What This Means for Healthy Aging

This study cannot prove that music directly prevents dementia, but the associations were strong and consistent. For older adults, music may be a simple, enjoyable, and accessible way to support long‑term brain health.

Listening to favorite songs, learning a new instrument, or returning to one you once played may all help keep the mind active and engaged as we age.

As always, lifestyle strategies work best as part of a broader approach that includes physical activity, social engagement, sleep, and nutrition.

Reference

The study is available here: Monash University: Music can stave off dementia by up to 40 per cent, study finds.