The impact of playing musical instruments on mental, brain, and physical health
Not just "listening" to music, but "making music yourself"
Music moves our hearts and brings joy and peace to our daily lives. In recent years, various studies have been conducted on how **"active musical activities,"** such as playing an instrument or singing oneself, relate not only to listening to music but also to cognitive function and psychological and social well-being. When we play music, we read sheet music, anticipate sounds, control our fingers and breathing, listen to the sounds produced, and adjust our next actions based on the results. In other words, playing an instrument is
seeing, hearing, thinking, remembering, moving the body, and expressing emotions
It is a very complex activity that involves multiple activities simultaneously.
Current research suggests that such musical activities may have positive effects on mental and physical health and brain function.
1. Instrumental Performance and "Brain/Cognitive Function"
Learning an instrument may be related to executive function and information processing speed
A systematic review & meta-analysis published in 2024 analyzed data from 13 studies involving a total of 502 **healthy adults aged 60 or over who had no prior formal musical training**. The results showed that those who underwent instrumental training improved in areas such as:
- Ability to suppress attention
- Ability to switch thinking according to the situation
- Ability to switch linguistic categories
- Information processing speed
In particular, a moderate effect was confirmed for information processing speed. However, not all cognitive functions, such as working memory and verbal memory, showed an effect. Therefore, what this research can tell us is that,
"Not all brain functions are improved by playing an instrument," but rather that learning an instrument may have a positive impact on some executive functions and information processing abilities.
References
Rogers, F. & Metzler-Baddeley, C. (2024).
The effects of musical instrument training on fluid intelligence and executive functions in healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Brain and Cognition, 175, 106137.
DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2024.106137.
2. Instrumental Performance and "Brain Plasticity"
Does the brain change by learning music?
The brain has a property called **"neuroplasticity,"** which allows neural function and networks to change through experience and learning.
A systematic review published in 2025 organized human studies on neuroplasticity caused by musical activities and musical training. This review examined the possibility of changes in:
- Neurotrophic factors
- Gene expression
- Neurotransmission
- Neuroendocrine system
- Stress-related physiological responses
due to musical training and music-based interventions. In particular, elements related to neural growth and plasticity, such as **BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)**, were also subjects of study. However, the authors also state that much about the molecular mechanisms of music-induced neuroplasticity remains unknown and further research is needed.
In other words,
it has not been proven that "playing an instrument rejuvenates the brain."
However,
it is certain that "research is being conducted on the possibility that musical activities and musical training are related to human brain plasticity."
References
Kunikullaya, U. K., Pranjić, M., Rigby, A., et al. (2025).
The molecular basis of music-induced neuroplasticity in humans: A systematic review.
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 175, 106219.
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106219.
3. Instrumental Performance and "Dementia Risk"
Research suggests that older adults who play musical instruments have a lower risk of dementia
A systematic review & meta-analysis published in 2022 analyzed three prospective cohort studies on the relationship between playing a musical instrument and the risk of dementia. The studies included not only research from the United States but also from Japan. As a result,
an association was confirmed where older adults who played musical instruments had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not.
The combined hazard ratio was **HR = 0.64 (95% CI 0.41–0.98)**.
Statistically, this means that the risk of developing dementia was approximately 36% lower for instrumentalists. However, there is a very important caveat here. This study was not an experiment that found "dementia decreased by 36% when people played instruments." It is a **meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies** that tracked and compared people who played instruments with those who did not over a long period. Therefore, it is not possible to conclude that **"playing an instrument can prevent dementia."**
More accurately,
"a relationship between playing an instrument and a reduced risk of dementia has been reported."
Nevertheless, it is an important finding that playing an instrument, as one of many lifelong intellectual, physical, and social activities, is worth studying in relation to healthy aging.
References
Arafa, A., Teramoto, M., Maeda, S., et al. (2022).
Playing a musical instrument and the risk of dementia among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
BMC Neurology, 22, 395.
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02902-z.
4. Instrumental Performance and "Mental Health/Well-being"
Making music oneself is also related to psychological and social health
A systematic review & meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Public Health in 2023 analyzed 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving healthy adults aged 40 and over. As a result, it was reported that
active musical participation may have positive effects on both cognitive function and psychosocial function.
The study also examined the relationship between musical activities and:
- Psychological well-being
- Social connectedness
- Self-esteem
- Life satisfaction
- Mental health
In particular, community music activities, such as singing or playing with others, have reported positive results regarding their relationship with social isolation, depression, and mental health.
References
The role of music in promoting health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
European Journal of Public Health, 33(4), 738–747, 2023.
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad063.
5. "Making Music" from the Latest 2026 Review
Furthermore, a systematic review summarizing 50 studies on "making music" and well-being was published in 2026.
This review organized research from three perspectives:
Psychological well-being
Physiological well-being
Social well-being
Looking at the overall research, positive results have been reported regarding musical activities and well-being. However, it is also pointed out that **research in this field primarily focuses on group singing and choral activities, and research on instrumental performance itself is not yet sufficient.** Therefore,
while research on the potential relationship between "making music oneself and mental and physical health" is increasing,
current science cannot yet say that "all instruments and all people experience the same effects."
This is a field where further research is expected in the future.
References
Steinmacher, C. & Wöllner, C. (2026).
Music making and wellbeing: A systematic review of methods, musical activities, and outcomes.
Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 18(4), e70191.
DOI: 10.1111/aphw.70191.
6. Why does "playing an instrument" stimulate the brain?
Playing an instrument is not a single simple action. For example, when playing an instrument while looking at sheet music,
Look at the sheet music
↓
Recognize the notes
↓
Predict the next sound
↓
Move fingers and body
↓
Control breathing and articulation
↓
Listen to the actual sound produced
↓
Judge if it's correct
↓
Adjust movements as needed
This series of processes is repeated in a very short time. Therefore, playing an instrument can be considered an activity that combines:
sight, hearing, memory, attention, movement, judgment, and emotion
The 2024 meta-analysis showed that instrumental training was related to executive functions such as "inhibition," "switching," and "information processing speed," which may be linked to this complex nature of the activity.
7. "Listening to music" vs. "Making music yourself"
Music offers the pleasure of listening. However, when you play an instrument yourself, in addition to that, there is an active process of:
thinking for yourself
moving your body yourself
making your own sounds
listening to your own performance
and then adjusting again
The 2023 systematic review & meta-analysis of people aged 40 and over reported that **active musical participation may be beneficial for both cognitive and psychosocial functions**, while the effects of listening to music were mainly observed in the cognitive domain. Of course, this does not mean that "listening" is superior to "playing." Listening to music also has great value. Furthermore,
the act of "making music yourself" can be considered a rich experience precisely because you are creating the music yourself.
8. It's meaningful to start playing an instrument even as an adult
"I didn't learn an instrument when I was a child, so isn't it too late now?" There's no need to think that way.
Research published in 2024 shows that **older adults who had no prior formal musical training can acquire new musical skills through 12 months of musical training.** 156 healthy older adults participated and practiced piano for one year. This research demonstrates that new musical skills can be learned even with age. Furthermore, a one-year randomized trial of 153 healthy older adults compared piano practice and music listening and investigated their impact on cognitive flexibility. In other words,
"It's never too late to start an instrument"
is one of the important messages that current research indicates.
9. What science can and cannot say
There are many fascinating research findings regarding music and instrumental performance. However, caution is necessary when presenting scientific information.
What current research suggests:
- The possibility that instrumental training positively impacts some cognitive functions.
- The association with information processing speed and cognitive switching ability.
- The association between musical activities and psychological well-being.
- The association between musical activities and social well-being.
- The association between musical activities and brain neuroplasticity.
- The association between instrumental performance and a reduced risk of dementia in older adults.
What current research cannot definitively state:
- Playing an instrument prevents dementia.
- Playing an instrument rejuvenates the brain.
- Playing an instrument cures diseases.
- The same health benefits are obtained by everyone.
- All instruments have the same effect.
Studies differ in the number of participants, study duration, type of instrument, practice time, and research methods. Therefore, instead of exaggerating research results, we believe that
scientific research is gradually revealing the answers to "what playing an instrument means for mental, brain, and physical health."
10. Bring music back into your daily life
Work, housework, childcare.
As an adult, it's not easy to have time to play an instrument as you did in your student days.
"I used to play an instrument, but I don't anymore."
"I'd like to play that song again."
"I want to start playing an instrument that I couldn't learn as a child."
Perhaps some of you feel this way. Playing an instrument is not just entertainment. The time spent playing a single piece of music includes:
Time to concentrate.
Time to move your body.
Time to listen to sounds.
Time to express yourself.
And time to enjoy music.
Science is gradually beginning to reveal how this "time spent making music yourself" relates to our minds, brains, and well-being.
That's why,
why not try playing an instrument again?
Even just a few minutes in your busy daily life.
Make time for music, for yourself.
A suggestion from Lento & Vivace
References
- Rogers, F. & Metzler-Baddeley, C. (2024). The effects of musical instrument training on fluid intelligence and executive functions in healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain and Cognition, 175, 106137. DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2024.106137.
- Arafa, A., Teramoto, M., Maeda, S., et al. (2022). Playing a musical instrument and the risk of dementia among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. BMC Neurology, 22, 395. DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02902-z.
- Kunikullaya, U. K., Pranjić, M., Rigby, A., et al. (2025). The molecular basis of music-induced neuroplasticity in humans: A systematic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 175, 106219. DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106219.
- The role of music in promoting health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Public Health, 33(4), 738–747 (2023). DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad063.
- Steinmacher, C. & Wöllner, C. (2026). Music making and wellbeing: A systematic review of methods, musical activities, and outcomes. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 18(4), e70191. DOI: 10.1111/aphw.70191.
※This page does not guarantee medical treatment or preventive effects. The research results introduced are based on the respective research conditions, subjects, and methods.