Browsing by Author "Nyberg Hovinen, Anette"

Objectives. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between age-related cognitive function and how music is experienced and reflected in individual’s daily life. As the life expectancy of humans is increasing, more and more people are predicted to suffer from memory disorders and cognitive decline in the future. Musical activities provide a promising tool in supporting healthy aging, but more knowledge on how cognitive function is related to music experience is required. Methods. The data from Seniorikuorotutkimus (SEKU) and Musiikin muistijäljillä (MUMU) studies were used for this study. 88 participants, age between 60–88 years, were included in the final statistical analyses. General cognitive ability, working memory, short-term linguistic memory and executive control were assessed using neuropsychological tests such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the CERAD word list task and the WMS-III-word list task. Experiencing music and the use of music in daily life was assessed using the validated MusEQ questionnaire. Results and conclusions. Based on the results, general cognitive functioning as measured by MoCA or episodic and linguistic memory as measured by word list tasks were not related to experiencing music and the meaning of music in daily life as measured by the MusEQ questionnaire. In the statistical analyses, only the musical background, measured as choral singing and/or playing experience, was connected to daily experiencing of music in the regression model. The result is important as experiencing music or the importance of music in daily life appears to be independent of cognitive function. Thus, the result can be used, for example, when planning the use of music in supporting neurocognitive aging.