Journal of Health Care and Research

Journal of Health Care and Research [ISSN: 2582-8967]

Akiyo Yoshioka¹, Hiroshi Bando^1,2iD*, Yu Nishikiori^1
1Shikoku Division of Integrative Medicine Japan (IMJ), Tokushima, Japan
²Medical Research/Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan

Corresponding Author: Hiroshi Bando ^{ORCID iD}
Address: Tokushima University /Medical Research, Nakashowa 1-61, Tokushima 770-0943, Japan.
Received date: 04 September 2024; Accepted date: 21 September 2024; Published date: 28 September 2024

Citation: Yoshioka A, Bando H, Nishikiori Y. Recent Topics for Music Therapy and Related Development. J Health Care and Research. 2024 Sept 28;5(2):53-56.

Copyright © 2024 Yoshioka A, Bando H, Nishikiori Y. This is an open-access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properly cited.

Keywords: Music and Art Therapy, Integrative Medicine Japan, Playing a Musical Instrument, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Musical Experience Questionnaire

Abbreviations: IMJ: Integrative Medicine Japan; MCI: Mild Cognitive Impairment; MEQ: Musical Experience Questionnaire

Abstract

In the context of aging and neuropathology, recent topics in music therapy and related advancements are introduced. The authors have managed the Shikoku division of Integrative Medicine Japan (IMJ). Lifelong engagement in music activities can help maintain cognitive reserve, thus promoting brain health. Musical instrument training has been shown to improve executive function, processing speed, and verbal memory. Playing a musical instrument was associated with a significantly decreased risk of dementia, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.64 among the elderly. A comparison between playing an instrument and karaoke showed dementia risk HRs of 0.70 and 0.90, respectively, for elderly males. Musicians were 64% less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia.