Lifetime Musical Activities and Cognitive Function of the Elderly

Alicia Nevriana, Pandu Riono, Tri Budi W. Rahardjo, Adji Kusumadjati

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Decreasing cognitive function of the elderly is one of the most common problems that might affect their quality of life. Music is an element that is believed to be able to contribute to the quality of life of the elderly. However, whether musical activities that are done throughout the life span related to cognitive function is unclear. In this research, we evaluated the association between lifetime musical activities and cognitive function. Fifty three older adults from three nursing homes in East Jakarta were selected and interviewed regarding their characteristics and lifetime musical activities. Cognitive function was also measured using Mini Mental State Examinaion (MMSE). The results of this preliminary study revealed that a possibility of an association between lifetime musical activities and cognitive function of the elderly was indicated. The result also showed that the participants who were not actively involved in musical activities during their lifetime were twice more likely to develop cognitive function impairment than the elderly who were actively involved in musical activities, after being adjusted by the characteristics. These correlational results suggest the beneficial effect of musical activities throughout the life span on cognitive functioning for the elderly.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)304-308
JournalKesmas: National Public Health Journal
Volume7
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

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