Listening to or playing music later in life may substantially reduce the risk of dementia, according to an Australian-led study of more than 10,800 older people.

The research found that people aged over 70 who always listened to music had a 39 percent lower risk of developing dementia compared with those who never, rarely or sometimes did so, according to a statement released on Thursday by Australia's Monash University, which led the study.

Those always listening to music also had a 17 percent lower incidence of cognitive impairment, as well as higher scores in overall cognition and episodic memory, used when recalling everyday events.

Playing a musical instrument was associated with a 35 percent reduction in dementia risk, according to the study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Participants regularly engaging in both music listening and playing had a 33 percent lower risk of dementia and a 22 percent lower rate of cognitive impairment.

The study used data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly study, a landmark research project investigating the effects of low-dose aspirin on health outcomes in older adults, as well as a Longitudinal Study of Older Persons sub-study.

Lead researcher Emma Jaffa said the findings suggest "music activities may be an accessible strategy for maintaining cognitive health in older adults, though causation cannot be established."

"Evidence suggests that brain ageing is not just based on age and genetics but can be influenced by one's own environmental and lifestyle choices," said the study's senior author, professor Joanne Ryan.

With no cure currently available for dementia, lifestyle-based interventions, such as listening and/or playing music, can promote cognitive health, and may help prevent or delay the onset of the disease, Ryan said. (Xinhua)