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Listening to music when you are over 70 years of age has been linked to a 39% reduction in the risk of dementia, according to a Monash University-led study of over 10,800 older people.

The study, led by Monash honors student Emma Jaffa and Professor Joanne Ryan, looked at the benefits of listening to music or playing music in people aged over 70, finding that always listening to music compared with never/rarely/sometimes listening to music was associated with a 39% decreased risk of dementia. While playing an instrument was associated with a 35% reduction in dementia risk.

This study used data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study, and the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) sub‐study and was published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

The study found that always listening to music was associated with the greatest reduction in dementia risk, with a 39% lower incidence of dementia and 17% lower incidence of cognitive impairment, as well as higher scores in overall cognition and episodic memory (used when recalling everyday events).

While regularly engaging in both music listening and playing was associated with a 33% decreased risk of dementia and 22% decreased risk of cognitive impairment.

According to Ms. Jaffa, the findings of the study “suggests music activities may be an accessible strategy for maintaining cognitive health in older adults, though causation cannot be established,” she said.

Population aging has become a global public health concern due to advances in medicine and technology extending human lifespans, and this longer life expectancy has also meant an increase in the prevalence of age‐related diseases, including cognitive decline and dementia.

With no cure currently available for dementia, the importance of identifying strategies to help prevent or delay onset of the disease is critical,“ senior author Professor Ryan said.

“Evidence suggests that brain aging is not just based on age and genetics but can be influenced by one’s own environmental and lifestyle choices. Our study suggests that lifestyle-based interventions, such as listening and/or playing music can promote cognitive health.”

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 (2025). DOI: 10.1002/gps.70163

Citation: Listening to or playing music over 75 linked to up to 39% reduction in dementia risk, study finds (2025, October 23) retrieved 23 October 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-playing-music-linked-reduction-dementia.html

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