Meditation and Music Boost Memory and Cognition
Two simple mind-body practices improved cognition and helped reverse perceived memory loss in older adults with subjective cognitive decline, in a pilot study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers randomly assigned 60 older adults with subjective cognitive decline — a strong predictor of Alzheimer’s disease — to a program of either beginner meditation or music listening for about 6 months. For the first 3 months, the participants were directed to practice their intervention 12 minutes daily. For the remaining 3 months, participants were told to engage in their intervention at their discretion.
At 3 months, both the meditation and music listening groups showed marked and significant improvements in subjective memory function and objective cognitive performance, researchers found. What’s more, the substantial gains were maintained or improved at 6 months. “Findings of this preliminary randomized controlled trial suggest practice of meditation or music listening can significantly enhance both subjective memory function and objective cognitive performance in adults with subjective cognitive decline,” and the researchers concluded, “this may offer promise for improving outcomes in this population.”
Researchers had previously found that both interventions also improved sleep, mood, stress, well-being, and quality of life — with gains particularly pronounced in participants who practiced daily meditation. In that study, too, these improvements were maintained or improved 3 months after baseline.
Commentary: The "Science of Life" is verifiable and provides confirmation that we're on the right track!
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