Work

Boosting executive function in children aged 3–12 through musical training: a three-level meta-analysis

Year: 2025

Type: review

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: For an extended period, musical training has been recognized as a key enhancer of children’s development, particularly affecting executive functions. This three-level meta-analysis examines the influence of musical training on executive functions in children aged 3–12 and identifies key moderating factors. The study analyzed 46 original research articles, encompassing 192 effect sizes from a total of 3,530 participants. The results demonstrate that musical training significantly enhances children’s executive function [ g = 0.350, p < 0.001, 95% CI (0.247–0.453)]. The longer the duration and cycle, the greater the impact of musical training on children’s executive function. In collectivist countries, musical training is more effective. Among the sub-dimensions of executive function, inhibitory control showed the most significant improvement due to musical training. The discussion explores the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1659927

Authors: Yumeng Cai, Dan Kang, Xiwu Xu

Institution: Hunan Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Diverse Music Education Insights

Subfield: Music

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801