A new Monash University-led study has found that regularly listening to music after the age of seventy is associated with a striking reduction in dementia risk. Drawing on data from more than 10,800 older adults, the researchers reported that those who consistently listened to music had a thirty-nine per cent lower chance of developing dementia compared with those who rarely or only occasionally engaged with music. The findings suggest that musical activity, even in a passive form, may play a meaningful role in supporting cognitive health later in life.
The research was conducted by honours student Emma Jaffa and Professor Joanne Ryan, who examined the cognitive benefits of both listening to music and playing an instrument. They found that participants who always listened to music experienced the most potent protective effect. Meanwhile, individuals who played an instrument also benefited, showing a 35% reduction in dementia risk. Although the study could not determine causation, the results indicate that both active and passive forms of musical engagement may offer cognitive advantages.
To reach their conclusions, the researchers analysed data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study and the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) sub-study. These large-scale projects provide detailed information about the health, habits, and cognitive outcomes of older adults, enabling investigation of how everyday lifestyle behaviours relate to long-term brain health. The team’s findings were published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
One of the most notable outcomes was the clear difference between frequent music listeners and those with limited exposure. Participants who always listened to music not only experienced a lower incidence of dementia but also had a seventeen per cent reduced risk of cognitive impairment. In addition, they scored higher on cognitive assessments, including tests of episodic memory, which involves the recall of everyday events and personal experiences. Participants who regularly listened to and played music showed benefits as well, with a 33% lower risk of dementia and a 22% reduction in cognitive impairment.
Ms Jaffa noted that the results highlight music as a potentially accessible strategy for maintaining cognitive health. Music is widely enjoyed, inexpensive, and easy to incorporate into daily routines, making it an appealing option for older adults seeking ways to support their wellbeing. However, she emphasised that although the findings are promising, more research is needed to determine whether music directly contributes to cognitive protection or correlates with other beneficial lifestyle factors.
The study sits within a broader global context in which ageing populations are placing greater pressures on health systems. As medical advances extend human lifespan, the prevalence of age-related diseases, including dementia, continues to rise. With no cure currently available, prevention and delay of onset are crucial research priorities. Senior author Professor Ryan stressed that brain ageing is shaped not only by genetics and time but also by environmental and lifestyle choices. She noted that activities such as listening to or playing music may therefore support cognitive resilience.
While further work is required to confirm causal pathways, the study offers a hopeful perspective: engaging with music —a simple, universally accessible activity —may help preserve cognitive function and enhance quality of life in later years.
More information: Emma Jaffa et al, What Is the Association Between Music-Related Leisure Activities and Dementia Risk? A Cohort Study, International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. DOI: 10.1002/gps.70163
Journal information: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Provided by Monash University
