THE SOUNDTRACK OF SUCCESSFUL AGING ASSESSING MUSIC INTERVENTIONS FOR COGNITIVE HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IN OLDER ADULTS

Music interventions show promise as accessible, non-pharmacological approaches to promote cognitive health and emotional well-being in older adults. This literature review synthesized findings from 30 studies examining the effects of music interventions on cognition, depression, and overall well-being in community-dwelling and institutionalized older adults without cognitive impairment. Active music participation, particularly rhythmic activities and group singing, demonstrated benefits for global cognition, memory, and executive function. Music interventions also consistently reduced depressive symptoms and improved mood, with active group-based approaches showing the strongest effects. Social engagement emerged as a key factor enhancing outcomes across domains. While results varied based on intervention type and duration, music activities generally improved quality of life and fostered social connections. Methodological limitations included small sample sizes, lack of active controls, and limited long-term follow-up. Future research should prioritize larger randomized controlled trials with diverse populations and extended follow-up to establish standardized, evidence-based music interventions for healthy aging. Overall, music offers a promising, multifaceted approach to support cognitive resilience, emotional health, and well-being in older adults.