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Cognitive Enhancement Through Music Education: Affective Pathways to Executive Function Improvement in Musicians
Evgenia Gkintoni1,2, Helen Kanellopoulou3, Christos Pouris3,4
1University General Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Brain Sciences
|February 27, 2026
Summary
A single music lesson improved executive function and emotional state in musicians. Affective changes were linked to cognitive gains, suggesting music
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Music Education
Background:
- Executive function and affective states are crucial for musicians' performance.
- Theories suggest music's impact on cognition and emotion.
- Pilot study to investigate acute effects of music lessons on musicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine acute effects of music lessons on executive function.
- Explore association between affective changes and cognitive improvement.
- Test hypotheses based on broaden-and-build and processing efficiency theories.
Main Methods:
- Quasi-experimental, single-group, pre-post design.
- 60 trained musicians (guitar, violin, piano) participated.
- Assessed executive function (Stroop Test) and affect (PANAS, STAI-S) pre- and post-lesson.
Main Results:
- Music lessons significantly improved executive function (Stroop interference).
- Positive affect increased, while negative affect and state anxiety decreased.
- Affective changes mediated 61.3% of the cognitive improvement effect.
Conclusions:
- Single music lessons yield acute cognitive and affective benefits for musicians.
- Affective changes are statistically linked to cognitive enhancements.
- Findings require replication with controlled designs and further neuroimaging research.
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