As a child, we always thought that music lessons, and (for the most unfortunate) flute lessons, were useless. However, a new study published in the scientific journal Plos One shows that this teaching is not flawed. In fact, it even does a great service to our brains, especially our cerebral executive functions.
Concretely, follow at least two years of music class helps increase activity in areas of the brain associated with executive functions. The latter refer to the cognitive process by which people process and store information, solve problems and regulate their behavior.
The study compared 15 children trained in music aged 9 to 12 with a control group of novice children. Two groups of adults split between professional and non-professional musicians also participated. MRI scans have shown marked improvement in executive functions in musicians, both children and adults.
“While many schools are cutting music education classes and spending more and more time on exam preparation, our study suggests that music training helps children build a good school and university course,” explains Nadine Gaab, professor of cognitive neuroscience at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Future studies are expected to assess the contribution of music as a therapeutic tool for children and adults.
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