Objectives

To determine whether engagement in music-related leisure activities is associated with a reduced risk of dementia and cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND), as well as better cognitive wellbeing in initially cognitively healthy older adults. Here, cognitive wellbeing includes maintaining good cognitive function as well as quality of life. Potential effect modification by education was also investigated.

Methods

This study used secondary data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study, and the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) sub-study. Included were 10,893 community-dwelling Australian adults who were 70 years and older, without dementia diagnosis at recruitment to the study. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine the association between level of music engagement (listening to music, playing an instrument, and a combination of both) and dementia risk from year 3 onwards. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the association with cognitive wellbeing. Analyses adjusted for age, gender and level of education completed.

Conclusion

These results highlight music as a potential promising, accessible strategy to help reduce cognitive impairment and delay the onset of dementia in later life.

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