Playing a musical instrument or singing may have positive effects on brain health in older individuals, according to a study conducted by UK researchers. The study, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, suggests that engaging in music-related activities like playing instruments or reading music can help maintain memory and cognitive abilities in later life. The research involved over 1,100 participants aged 40 and above, with an average age of 68, and focused on the impact of music on brain function as people age.

The study, led by scientists at the University of Exeter, compared the cognitive data of individuals who incorporated music into their lives with those who did not. Results indicated that playing musical instruments, particularly keyboard instruments like the piano, showed the most significant benefits for brain health. The study also highlighted the positive effects of singing, possibly due to the social aspects involved in group music activities. Listening to music alone did not seem to have the same cognitive benefits as actively engaging in music-making.

Lead author Prof Anne Corbett emphasized the importance of exercising the brain through activities like learning to read music, which she likened to learning a new language. The study did not explore the potential benefits of taking up music later in life for the first time, but Prof Corbett suggested that based on existing evidence, it could be highly beneficial. Promoting musical education and encouraging older adults to rekindle their musical interests later in life could be valuable components of a public health message aimed at improving brain health as individuals age.

While the study underscores the potential benefits of music for brain health, Prof Corbett cautioned against viewing playing a musical instrument as a guaranteed prevention method for cognitive decline or dementia. Dementia UK welcomed the study’s findings, noting the enduring benefits of music-making for individuals living with dementia. Stuart Douglas, a 78-year-old accordion player, attested to the brain-boosting effects of music, highlighting its positive impact on individuals with memory loss. The study was supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

In conclusion, the research suggests that engaging in music-related activities, such as playing instruments or singing, may contribute to maintaining brain health in older age. While playing musical instruments, particularly keyboard instruments, showed significant cognitive benefits, singing and group music activities also had positive effects. Encouraging individuals to incorporate music into their lives as they age could be a valuable strategy for promoting brain health, although it is not a foolproof method for preventing cognitive decline or dementia.

Original news source: Playing a musical instrument good for brain health in later life – study (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades

Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a list of musical instruments and related actions (e.g. playing the piano, strumming the guitar). One person from each group will act out the musical instrument or action without speaking, while the others in the group try to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly gets a point. Rotate roles until all the items on the list have been acted out. The group with the most points wins.

– News Summary

Instructions: Have the students read the article individually or in pairs. Then, ask each student to write a short summary of the article in their own words. Afterward, have them compare their summaries with a partner and discuss any differences or similarities. Finally, have a class discussion where students share their summaries and discuss any important points they may have missed.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Have each group come up with a list of questions related to the article (e.g. Do you believe playing a musical instrument can help maintain brain health? Would you consider taking up a musical instrument later in life?). Then, have the groups go around and interview other groups, collecting their opinions on the questions. Afterward, have a class discussion where groups share the opinions they gathered and discuss any interesting points or differences of opinion.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into two teams. Call out a word and have one person from each team come to the front of the class. They will have one minute to draw a picture representing the word while their team tries to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly gets a point. Repeat with different words and rotate team members. The team with the most points at the end wins.

– Pros and Cons

Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group a role: either for or against the idea of incorporating music into older adults’ lives for brain health. Have each group brainstorm and discuss the pros and cons of their assigned position. Then, have a class debate where each group presents their arguments and tries to convince the other groups of their position. Encourage students to use evidence from the article to support their arguments.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What does the study suggest about the effects of playing a musical instrument or singing on brain health in older individuals?
2. How many participants were involved in the study and what was their average age?
3. Which type of musical instrument showed the most significant benefits for brain health?
4. Why did the study highlight the positive effects of singing?
5. What did lead author Prof Anne Corbett compare learning to read music to?
6. Did the study explore the potential benefits of taking up music later in life for the first time?
7. What caution did Prof Corbett give about playing a musical instrument as a prevention method for cognitive decline or dementia?
8. How did Dementia UK respond to the study’s findings?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Playing a musical instrument or singing may have positive effects on brain health in (1)______ individuals, according to a study conducted by UK (2)______ers. The study, published in the (3)______ Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, suggests that engaging in music-related activities like playing (4)______ or reading music can help maintain memory and cognitive abilities in later life. The research involved over 1,100 participants aged 40 and above, with an average age of 68, and focused on the impact of music on brain function as people age.

The study, led by scientists at the University of Exeter, compared the cognitive data of individuals who incorporated music into their lives with those who did not. Results (5)______ that playing musical instruments, particularly keyboard instruments like the piano, showed the most significant benefits for brain health. The study also highlighted the positive effects of (6)______, possibly due to the social aspects involved in group music activities. Listening to music alone did not seem to have the same cognitive benefits as actively engaging in music-making.

Lead author Prof Anne Corbett emphasized the importance of exercising the brain through activities like learning to read music, which she (7)______ to learning a new language. The study did not explore the potential benefits of taking up music later in life for the (8)______ time, but Prof Corbett suggested that based on existing evidence, it could be highly beneficial. Promoting (9)______ (10)______ and encouraging older (11)______ to rekindle their musical interests later in life could be valuable components of a public health message aimed at improving brain health as individuals age.

While the study underscores the potential benefits of music for brain health, Prof Corbett cautioned against viewing playing a musical instrument as a guaranteed prevention (12)______ for cognitive decline or dementia. Dementia UK welcomed the study’s findings, noting the enduring benefits of music-making for individuals living with dementia. Stuart Douglas, a 78-year-old accordion player, attested to the brain-boosting effects of music, highlighting its positive impact on individuals with memory loss. The study was supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

In conclusion, the research suggests that engaging in music-related (13)______, such as playing instruments or singing, may contribute to maintaining (14)______ health in older age. While playing musical instruments, particularly keyboard instruments, showed significant cognitive benefits, singing and (15)______ music activities also had positive effects. (16)______ individuals to incorporate music into their lives as they age could be a valuable strategy for promoting brain health, although it is not a foolproof method for preventing cognitive decline or dementia.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the significance of incorporating music into your life as you age?
2. How would you feel if you were unable to engage in music-related activities later in life?
3. Do you like playing a musical instrument or singing? Why or why not?
4. Do you think learning to read music is similar to learning a new language? Why or why not?
5. How do you think playing a musical instrument can benefit brain health?
6. What are some potential barriers to older adults rekindling their musical interests later in life?
7. Why do you think playing keyboard instruments like the piano showed the most significant benefits for brain health?
8. How do you think group music activities contribute to brain health in older individuals?
9. What are some other activities besides music that you think could help maintain memory and cognitive abilities in later life?
10. How would you feel if you were diagnosed with cognitive decline or dementia? How do you think music could help in this situation?
11. Why do you think listening to music alone did not have the same cognitive benefits as actively engaging in music-making?
12. What role do you think musical education plays in promoting brain health in older adults?
13. How do you think the social aspects of group music activities contribute to brain health?
14. Do you think there are any potential downsides or limitations to using music as a strategy for promoting brain health? Why or why not?
15. How do you think the findings of this study could be incorporated into public health messages aimed at improving brain health as individuals age?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. cognitive
2. geriatric
3. participants
4. significant
5. singing
6. social
7. cognitive benefits
8. emphasized
9. exploring
10. rekindle
11. prevention
12. dementia
13. attested
14. supported
15. engaging

Meanings:
(A) To revive or renew interest in an activity or hobby
(B) The act of examining or studying something for the first time
(C) Participating or taking part actively in a particular activity
(D) Highlighted or stated with a strong conviction
(E) Pertaining to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning
(F) Pertaining to the interaction with other people
(G) Individuals who take part in a study or activity
(H) Relating to the health care of older adults
(I) Improvements or advantages for mental processes gained through certain activities
(J) The act of stopping something from happening or arising
(K) Noteworthy or important in nature
(L) Provided with assistance, endorsement, or funding
(M) The act of producing musical sounds with the voice
(N) Confirmed or declared to be true based on personal experience or evidence
(O) A chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did the study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggest about the effects of music-related activities on brain health in older individuals?
(a) They may have positive effects
(b) They have no impact
(c) They have negative effects
(d) They are inconclusive

2. According to the study, which musical activity showed the most significant benefits for brain health in older individuals?
(a) Playing keyboard instruments
(b) Listening to music
(c) Singing
(d) Playing wind instruments

3. What did the study find about the cognitive benefits of listening to music alone?
(a) It had the most significant benefits
(b) It did not show the same cognitive benefits as actively engaging in music-making
(c) It had similar benefits to playing musical instruments
(d) It was inconclusive

4. What did lead author Prof Anne Corbett compare learning to read music to in the study?
(a) Learning to cook
(b) Learning to drive
(c) Learning to swim
(d) Learning a new language

5. What did Prof Corbett suggest could be highly beneficial based on existing evidence in the study?
(a) Giving up music later in life
(b) Taking up music later in life for the first time
(c) Avoiding music altogether
(d) Listening to music passively

6. What did Prof Corbett emphasize as a valuable component of a public health message aimed at improving brain health as individuals age?
(a) Avoiding music-related activities
(b) Discouraging older adults from engaging in music
(c) Promoting musical education and encouraging older adults to rekindle their musical interests
(d) Focusing solely on listening to music

7. What did Prof Corbett caution against in terms of playing a musical instrument and cognitive decline in the study?
(a) Stopping individuals from playing instruments
(b) Encouraging individuals to play more instruments
(c) Viewing it as a guaranteed prevention method
(d) Promoting it as a cure for dementia

8. What did Dementia UK note about the benefits of music-making for individuals living with dementia in response to the study’s findings?
(a) They stated there were no benefits
(b) They mentioned negative effects
(c) They disagreed with the study’s findings
(d) They highlighted the enduring benefits

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The study did not explore the potential benefits of taking up music later in life for the first time, but suggested it could be highly beneficial based on existing evidence.
2. Playing a musical instrument or singing may not have any positive effects on brain health in older individuals, according to a study conducted by UK researchers.
3. Listening to music alone did not seem to have the same cognitive benefits as actively engaging in music-making.
4. Dementia UK criticized the study’s findings, disputing the enduring benefits of music-making for individuals living with dementia.
5. The study was not supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
6. The study involved under 1,100 participants aged 40 and above, with an average age of 68, focusing on the impact of music on brain function as people age.
7. Playing musical instruments, especially keyboard instruments like the piano, showed the most significant benefits for brain health in the study.
8. The lead author of the study, Prof Anne Corbett, emphasized the importance of exercising the brain through activities like learning to read music.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What were the main findings of the study conducted by UK researchers on the effects of music on brain health in older individuals?
2. Which musical activities showed the most significant benefits for brain health in the study?
3. What did lead author Prof Anne Corbett compare learning to read music to?
4. Did the study explore the potential benefits of taking up music later in life for the first time?
5. What caution did Prof Corbett give about viewing playing a musical instrument as a prevention method for cognitive decline or dementia?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The study suggests that playing a musical instrument or singing may have positive effects on brain health in older individuals.
2. The study involved over 1,100 participants aged 40 and above, with an average age of 68.
3. Keyboard instruments, like the piano, showed the most significant benefits for brain health.
4. The study highlighted the positive effects of singing possibly due to the social aspects involved in group music activities.
5. Prof Anne Corbett compared learning to read music to learning a new language.
6. No, the study did not explore the potential benefits of taking up music later in life for the first time.
7. Prof Corbett cautioned against viewing playing a musical instrument as a guaranteed prevention method for cognitive decline or dementia.
8. Dementia UK welcomed the study’s findings, noting the enduring benefits of music-making for individuals living with dementia.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) older
(2) research
(3) International
(4) instruments
(5) indicated
(6) singing
(7) likened
(8) first
(9) musical
(10) education
(11) adults
(12) method
(13) activities
(14) brain
(15) group
(16) Encouraging
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. cognitive
Answer: (E) Pertaining to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning

2. geriatric
Answer: (H) Relating to the health care of older adults

3. participants
Answer: (G) Individuals who take part in a study or activity

4. significant
Answer: (K) Noteworthy or important in nature

5. singing
Answer: (M) The act of producing musical sounds with the voice

6. social
Answer: (F) Pertaining to the interaction with other people

7. cognitive benefits
Answer: (I) Improvements or advantages for mental processes gained through certain activities

8. emphasized
Answer: (D) Highlighted or stated with a strong conviction

9. exploring
Answer: (B) The act of examining or studying something for the first time

10. rekindle
Answer: (A) To revive or renew interest in an activity or hobby

11. prevention
Answer: (J) The act of stopping something from happening or arising

12. dementia
Answer: (O) A chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury

13. attested
Answer: (N) Confirmed or declared to be true based on personal experience or evidence

14. supported
Answer: (L) Provided with assistance, endorsement, or funding

15. engaging
Answer: (C) Participating or taking part actively in a particular activity
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did the study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggest about the effects of music-related activities on brain health in older individuals?
Answer: (a) They may have positive effects

2. According to the study, which musical activity showed the most significant benefits for brain health in older individuals?
Answer: (a) Playing keyboard instruments

3. What did the study find about the cognitive benefits of listening to music alone?
Answer: (b) It did not show the same cognitive benefits as actively engaging in music-making

4. What did lead author Prof Anne Corbett compare learning to read music to in the study?
Answer: (d) Learning a new language

5. What did Prof Corbett suggest could be highly beneficial based on existing evidence in the study?
Answer: (b) Taking up music later in life for the first time

6. What did Prof Corbett emphasize as a valuable component of a public health message aimed at improving brain health as individuals age?
Answer: (c) Promoting musical education and encouraging older adults to rekindle their musical interests

7. What did Prof Corbett caution against in terms of playing a musical instrument and cognitive decline in the study?
Answer: (c) Viewing it as a guaranteed prevention method

8. What did Dementia UK note about the benefits of music-making for individuals living with dementia in response to the study’s findings?
Answer: (d) They highlighted the enduring benefits
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The study did not explore the potential benefits of taking up music later in life for the first time, but suggested it could be highly beneficial based on existing evidence. (Answer: True)
2. Playing a musical instrument or singing may not have any positive effects on brain health in older individuals, according to a study conducted by UK researchers. (Answer: False)
3. Listening to music alone did not seem to have the same cognitive benefits as actively engaging in music-making. (Answer: True)
4. Dementia UK criticized the study’s findings, disputing the enduring benefits of music-making for individuals living with dementia. (Answer: False)
5. The study was not supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. (Answer: False)
6. The study involved under 1,100 participants aged 40 and above, with an average age of 68, focusing on the impact of music on brain function as people age. (Answer: False)
7. Playing musical instruments, especially keyboard instruments like the piano, showed the most significant benefits for brain health in the study. (Answer: True)
8. The lead author of the study, Prof Anne Corbett, emphasized the importance of exercising the brain through activities like learning to read music. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧