双语阅读 童年时学习乐器的好处

According to a study published by the American Psychological Association, playing an instrument as a child keeps the mind sharper as we age. yykz ZSJ制作

The study, done at the University of Kansas Medical Center, elected 70 healthy adults between the ages 60 and 83, who were divided into groups based on their levels of musical experience. The musicians performed better in several cognitive tests than individuals who had never studied an instrument or learned how to read music. The brain functions measured by the tests tend to go worse with age.

“Musical activity throughout life may serve as a challenging cognitive exercise, making your brain fitter and more capable of meeting the challenges of aging,” said lead researcher Brenda Hanna-Pladdy. “Since studying an instrument requires years of practice and learning, it may create connections in the brain that could make up for cognitive drop as we get older.”

“Music-making is connected to a number of health benefits for older adults,” said Suzanne Hanser, chair of the music treatment department at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. “Research shows that making music can lower blood pressure, slow heart rate, reduce stress, and ease anxiety. There is also increasing evidence that making music enhances the immunological response, which enables us to fight disease,” Hanser said. Hanser said that anyone, without considering age or ability, can make music and benefit from it.

“People are not only living longer these days; they want to remain healthy and active for as long as possible,” said Antoinette Follett, editor-in-chief of “Making Music” magazine. “Plus, there is an increasing focus in the medical community on the need to keep the brain as healthy as the body. This focus is as much about making the empty nest and retirement years fun and worthwhile as it is about preventing debilitating dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease. Music making is able to do both.” yykz ZSJ制作from ZSHUNJ_cn