Individualized Piano Instruction enhances executive functioning and working memory in older adults

Abstract

This study evaluates transfer from domain-specific, sensorimotor training to cognitive abilities associated with executive function. We examined Individualized Piano Instruction (IPI) as a potential cognitive intervention to mitigate normal age-related cognitive decline in older adults. Thirty-one musically naïve community-dwelling older adults (ages 60-85) were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 16) or control group (n = 15). Neuropsychological assessments were administered at three time points: pre-training, following six months of intervention, and following a three-month delay. The experimental group significantly improved performance on the Trail Making Test and Digit Symbol measures as compared to healthy controls. Results of this study suggest that IPI may serve as an effective cognitive intervention for age-related cognitive decline.

The impact of cognitive training and mental stimulation on cognitive and everyday functioning of healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In individual trials we found that mental stimulation groups significantly outperformed "no intervention" controls on four out of eight memory measures (Carlson et al, 2008;Klusmann et al, 2010;Noice and Noice, 2009;Slegers et al, 2009), nine out of 17 measures of executive function (Basak et al, 2008;Bugos et al, 2007;Carlson et al, 2008;Klusmann et al, 2010;Noice and Noice, 2009;Slegers et al, 2009;Tesky et al, 2011), and one out of three composite measures of cognitive function (Slegers et al, 2009;Tesky et al, 2011;Tranter and Koutstaal, 2008). The trials did not include measures of everyday functioning.…”

“…Each of the mental stimulation interventions resulted in a transfer of effects to at least one cognitive outcome measure (table 3). Neither trial that included follow-up assessments reported maintenance of intervention effects (Bugos et al, 2007;Slegers et al, 2009). …”

Tuning the mind: Exploring the connections between musical ability and executive functions

“…For example, music is most often played in coordination with others (Palmer, 2013), which requires switching between multiple auditory streams (Loehr, Kourtis, Vesper, Sebanz, & Knoblich, 2013) and adjusting to other performers (e.g., Loehr & Palmer, 2011;Moore & Chen, 2010). Thus music performance may be associated with relatively general switching advantages, and musicians have indeed been found to outperform non-musicians on switching tasks (Hanna-Pladdy & MacKay, 2011;Moradzadeh, Blumenthal, & Wiseheart, 2014; see also Bugos, Perlstein, McCrae, Brophy, & Bedenbaugh, 2007;Zuk, Benjamin, Kenyon, & Gaab, 2014).…”

Música y palabra contra el alzheimer

“…A través del piano y aplicándolo a personas mayores de entre 60 y 85 años, Bugos et al (2007) mostraron que este instrumento musical puede servir para una intervención cognitiva eficaz relacionada con la edad y el deterioro cognitivo. También estos autores asocian el ejercicio aeróbico con un deterioro cognitivo más lento, aunque el objetivo de su investigación fue el de prevenir o mantener habilidades cognitivas desde la música, además de prevenir la pérdida de memoria desde el aprendizaje del piano.…”