Study: Reading for pleasure linked to improved memory and attention

A recent research review conducted by the University of Cambridge and The Queen's Reading Room, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, links reading for pleasure to improved attention, memory, and executive functions, as well as reduced stress and slower cognitive decline in older adults. The review included longitudinal, behavioral, and brain imaging studies, and confirmed that the benefits are associated with enjoyable voluntary reading, but it does not prove direct causation.

A recent research review conducted by the University of Cambridge in collaboration with The Queen's Reading Room, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, revealed an association between reading for pleasure and cognitive and psychological benefits across different life stages. The review included longitudinal, behavioral, and brain imaging studies. In childhood, a study involving over 10,000 children showed that early reading was associated with better performance in attention, memory, and executive functions, higher academic achievement, fewer psychological problems, and healthier lifestyles. In adults, reading was linked to reduced stress, improved well-being, and increased empathy. A 2024 neuroscience study showed that reading fiction for five minutes reduced stress indicators by 20%. In older adults, a study tracking 5,437 people aged 55 and over found that frequent mental activities were associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment. Another study tracking 801 people aged 65 and over linked reading to a 33% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's. The researchers emphasized that the findings are observational and do not prove causation, and that other factors such as education and income may influence the results. The review concluded that reading for pleasure is a low-cost activity that may support mental and cognitive health.