Effects of Music Listening on Cognition and Affective State in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Does music have positive effects on cognitive and affective functioning in older adults?
This question has intrigued researchers, clinicians, experts, and music enthusiasts for decades. The literature presents conflicting evidence regarding the effects of listening to music—both “happy/activating” (e.g., Mozart’s Sonata K 448) and “sad/relaxing” (e.g., Albinoni’s Adagio)—on cognitive and affective functioning in older adults. These effects appear to vary depending on whether the music is listened to before performing a task or as background during the task.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis, published in European Psychologist, synthesized available evidence on the effects of music listening on cognitive functioning and affective state in healthy older adults with typical aging, considering both the type of music (“happy/activating” or “sad/relaxing”) and its presentation mode (“before a task” or “as background music”). Out of 2,675 articles retrieved, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results revealed inconsistent effects of music listening on memory performance. However, “happy/activating” music showed promising effects on executive functioning and processing speed when played as background music, and it facilitated linguistic processing when listened to before a lexical task. Regarding affective state, “happy/activating” music tended to improve mood and increase arousal (general activation), whereas “sad/relaxing” music decreased arousal, regardless of the presentation mode. Overall, the meta-analysis did not confirm significant benefits of music on cognition, but it highlighted positive effects on arousal associated with “happy/activating” music, though not on mood. The high methodological heterogeneity and variability in results limit definitive conclusions about the effects of music listening on cognition in older adults. Therefore, further studies employing more rigorous methodologies are necessary to better understand the potential cognitive and psychological benefits of music as people age.
Authors: Enrico Sella, Margherita Vincenzi, Elena Carbone, E. Glenn Schellenberg, César Lima, Enrico Toffalini, Erika Borella
Link: https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000533
