@misc{10481/72632,
year = {2022},
month = {1},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10481/72632},
abstract = {An extensive literature has investigated the impact of musical training on cognitive skills and academic achievement in children and adolescents. However, most of the studies have relied on cross-sectional designs, which makes it impossible to elucidate whether the observed differences are a consequence of the engagement in musical activities. Previous meta-analyses with longi- tudinal studies have also found inconsistent results, possibly due to their reliance on vague definitions of musical training. In addition, more evidence has appeared in recent years. The current meta-analysis investigates the impact of early programs that involve learning to play musical instruments on cognitive skills and academic achievement, as previous meta-analyses have not focused on this form of musical training. Following a systematic search, 34 indepen- dent samples of children and adolescents were included, with a total of 176 effect sizes and 5998 participants. All the studies had pre-post designs and, at least, one control group. Overall, we found a small but significant benefit (gΔ = 0.26) with short-term programs, regardless of whether they were randomized or not. In addition, a small advantage at baseline was observed in studies with self-selection (gpre = 0.28), indicating that participants who had the opportunity to select the activity consistently showed a slightly superior performance prior to the beginning of the inter- vention. Our findings support a nature and nurture approach to the relationship between instru- mental training and cognitive skills. Nevertheless, evidence from well-conducted studies is still scarce and more studies are necessary to reach firmer conclusions.},
organization = {Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte},
organization = {Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid},
organization = {Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad},
organization = {Universidad de Granada / CBUA},
keywords = {Musical training},
keywords = {Academic achievement},
keywords = {Cognitive skills},
keywords = {Transfer},
title = {Please don't stop the music: A meta-analysis of the cognitive and academic benefits of instrumental musical training in childhood and adolescence},
doi = {10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100436},
author = {Román Caballero, Rafael and Vadillo, Miguel A. and Trainor, Laurel J. and Lupiáñez Castillo, Juan},
}