The Effects of Piano Training on Cognitive Function and Brain Activation in Older Adults

Musical training is thought to change the brain beyond just the areas that subserve those skills. To test this, we measured cognitive function and brain activity in a sample of older adults, using a longitudinal design. Twenty older adult participants ( M  = 71.0 ± 5.56 years) were recruited. Half of participants were randomized to receive weekly piano lessons with daily homework assignments, and the other half were randomized to receive weekly music-listening sessions with daily listening assignments. Cognitive function was tested before and after training using standardized computerized assessments and parts A and B of the Trail Making Test. Brain activity was evaluated using electroencephalography. Participants who were given piano training performed better than controls on tests of reasoning ( p  = .01) and composite memory ( p  < .05) and had differences in brain activation. These results suggest that music learning may enhance cognitive functioning in older adults.