London - Could playing the piano help to reduce the risk of mental decline in older people?
Researchers at the University of South Florida are testing this in a trial with 100 healthy men and women aged 60 to 80, who will be given 16 weekly piano classes.
The research is based on the principle of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to develop new pathways when we learn something new. Repetition strengthens the connections between the brain cells, making it easier for impulses to travel along the pathways.
Learning to play the piano is thought to be especially helpful for improving cognitive performance as it involves using a combination of memory, reasoning, and problem solving.
Daily Mail