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Abstract Details

The Cognitive Effects of Music: Working Memory Is Enhanced in Healthy Older Adults after Listening to Music
Behavioral Neurology
P07 - (-)
162
BACKGROUND: The present study aims to investigate the hypothesis that performance on tests of working memory, by normal older persons, can be improved after they listen to positive affect music. The "Mozart effect" suggested that listening to Mozart music increased an individual's performance on visuospatial tasks. Here, we examine the impact of positive and negative affect music on working memory, which declines in the context of normal aging.
DESIGN/METHODS: Sixty adults who had previously undergone neurological and neuropsychological (including Digit Span) testing were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomized into two groups and listened to a series of positive and negative musical clips. They were then tested using Digit Span from the WAIS-IV as well as computerized Spatial Span from the PEBL Psychological Battery. Paired sample t-tests of current test results and previously obtained test results were analyzed.
RESULTS: Digit Span (DS) performance under music condition was significantly stronger than Digit Span performance under no music condition. The p-value for DS after listening to positive music versus no music was .02, and .03 for negative music versus no music.
CONCLUSIONS: Recent neuropsychological studies indicate that the current participant cohort would be expected to have Digit Span scores -0.07 points lower than their previous test scores. However, after listening to music that increases mood, healthy older adults showed a significant increase in Digit Span scores despite the expected decrease. Given the frontal lobe hypothesis, it can then be concluded that mood enhancing music in healthy older adults can also temporarily increase working memory performance. This is not a cure for the working memory decline associated with aging, but music is a very non-invasive and enjoyable method to augment day-to-day activities.
Authors/Disclosures
Alan Wang, MD, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Banner University Medical Center - Phoenix)
PRESENTER 		Dr. Wang has stock in AbbVie.
Daniel Tranel, PhD (Unvi of IA Hosp & Clinics) No disclosure on file
No disclosure on file
No disclosure on file