#7 — SOUND & BRAIN ACTIVITY
How Sound Influences the Brain, Neural Activity & Neuroplasticity
INTRODUCTION
Sound is processed by the brain through complex networks involved in hearing, attention, memory, emotion and cognition. Research has shown that music and other forms of auditory stimulation can produce measurable changes in brain activity and brain connectivity.
Scientists have investigated how sound may influence neural processing, brain-wave activity and neuroplasticity. This research helps explain how auditory stimulation can affect the brain and why different sounds and frequencies may produce different neurological responses.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH & PUBLISHED STUDIES
Effect of Music Therapy on Cognitive Function Among Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
A systematic review of 33 studies involving 3,058 older adults found that music therapy significantly improved global cognitive function, memory and executive function.
Structural and Functional Neuroplasticity in Music and Dance-Based Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review
A 2025 systematic review of 20 randomized controlled trials involving 718 participants examining structural and functional brain changes associated with music- and dance-based rehabilitation. The studies found measurable neuroplastic changes in brain regions involved in perception, memory, language, emotional regulation and motor control, while also noting limitations and differences among the studies.
Efficacy of Music Therapy on Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Aging Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that music therapy improved cognitive outcomes in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, directly addressing cognitive decline and impaired function.
Cognitive Enhancement Through Music Therapy: Meta-Analytic Evidence Across Clinical Population
A meta-analysis of 14 studies found significant improvements in cognitive function following music therapy, with stronger benefits reported in longer-duration listening interventions.
Short-Term Effect of Auditory Stimulation on Neural Activities: A Scoping Review of Longitudinal Electroencephalography and Magnetoencephalography Studies
A 2024 scoping review examining 93 studies using EEG and MEG to investigate how auditory stimulation affects neural activity. The review found evidence of rapid changes in neural activity involving the auditory cortex and higher-order brain regions, including changes in neural oscillations, attention, working memory and functional connectivity.
Effects of music-based interventions on sleep quality in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 1,730 older adults found that music-based interventions significantly improved sleep quality, while also reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms and improving cognitive function.