Investigation for effects of different instrumental educations to fine motor skills and executive functions among musicians

This study aims to compare the effects of different instrument educations on executive function and fine motor skills, determine the contribution of instrument education to individuals' fine motor skill levels, and understand which components of executive functions are affected. The research included 60 conservatory students whose main instrument was piano or guitar and 58 university students who had not engaged in any instrument at an amateur or professional level. The number of pianists was 31 (51.7%), and the number of guitarists was 29 (48.3%). Information was collected from the voluntary participants using a pre-assessment form. The frequency of practice and instrument experience of conservatory students were recorded. To assess inhibition and selective attention (ISA), Stroop Test was used; to assess working memory, Letter-Number Sequencing Test was used; to assess cognitive flexibility, Task-switching Test was used; and to assess fine motor skill level, the 9-Hole Peg Test was administered. In the study, it was found that musicians had superior ISA (p≤0.001), working memory (p≤0.050), and left fine motor skills (p≤0.001) compared to the control group. Post-hoc analyses revealed that the difference stemmed from the control group. There was no significant difference in executive function and fine motor skill levels between guitarists and pianists (p>0.050). As instrument experience increased, higher averages were found in executive function and fine motor skill levels. According to the correlation test results, there was a significant relationship between working memory and ISA (r=-0.301, p≤0.001), right (r=-0.252, p≤0.050) and left (r=-0.220, p≤0.050) extremity skills, and the difference in upper extremity skills and left extremity skills (r=0.236, p≤0.050); a significant relationship was also found between left and right extremity skills (r=0.593, p≤0.001). This study found that instrumental education positively affects executive function and fine motor skill performance. However, advanced studies are needed to understand the specific effects of different instrumental educations. It was observed that as instrumental experience increases, the levels of executive function and motor skills also increase, while the difference in motor skills in the upper extremity decreases. The findings indicate the need for attention control during the demonstration of mental skills and the connection of motor skills with mental skills. Keywords: Cognitive Flexibility; Executive Functions; Fine Motor Skills; Inhibition And Selective Attention; Working Memory