Piano Training Enhances Executive Functions and Psychosocial Outcomes in Aging: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 35134913 · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbac021
What was done
A three-arm randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a 16-week piano training intervention (two 90-minute group sessions per week) against an active control (computer-assisted cognitive training) and a no-treatment control group in 155 older adults aged 60–80 years. Participants completed standardized assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. Measures included executive functions (working memory, processing speed, verbal fluency), psychosocial well-being (general and musical self-efficacy, mood), and physiological markers (cortisol and immune function).
What was found
Both piano training and computer-assisted cognitive training improved working memory and processing speed compared to no-treatment controls. Piano training uniquely produced significant improvements in verbal fluency (category switching) compared to both computer-assisted training and no-treatment controls. Piano training participants also demonstrated enhanced general and musical self-efficacy post-training. No significant differences were found between groups for physiological stress or immune markers. The abstract did not report specific numerical values, effect sizes, or p-values.
Why it matters
This study shows that participatory musical instrument training provides cognitive benefits comparable to computerized cognitive training for processing speed and working memory, while offering distinct advantages in executive verbal task-switching and self-efficacy.
Limits
The abstract provides no exact numerical data, effect sizes, or confidence intervals. The duration was limited to 16 weeks with follow-up only to 3 months, and the intervention had no detectable effect on physiological stress or immune outcomes. Blinding and adherence rates are not described in the abstract.