Source note · R052
Quality of Life in Older Adults Is Enhanced by Piano Practice: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial
A piano trial reports small relative changes in selected quality-of-life domains, with limits to its later follow-up.
- Setting
- Related music & arts
- Kind of evidence
- Intervention studies
- Review extent
- Main text reviewed
What was studied
A trial of 156 retired adults aged 62–78 comparing piano practice with an active music-culture program.
What it contributes
Some quality-of-life domains favored piano after six months. A meaningful advantage in social quality of life was not established.
Where the evidence stops
Later comparisons regrouped participants by continuing activity and were no longer randomized. Several other papers report outcomes from this same trial. The study does not test community band membership.
One piano and music-culture trial, several outcomes
These papers report different outcomes or subsets from the Swiss-German trial registered as NCT03674931. Sample sizes change with the measure and follow-up. They must not be counted as five independent trials.
About this review
The main text was reviewed for its methods, reported findings and limits. This source note is an editorial summary, not a reproduction of the work.
Source note updated September 7, 2026. Read our approach to evidence.