Dementia and the haka

A recent study by the University of Auckland in New Zealand has found that the Maori kapa haka, a mixture of dance and choral songs, may have an effect on dementia. 

According to the Ministry of Health (as reported on the BBC), the difference between people aged 80 to 90 from Maori and non-Maori backgrounds was not significant when it comes to dementia. It is a surprising finding given that the two groups have different socioeconomic backgrounds, access to healthcare and risk factors, but it is possible that being bilingual and taking part in activities which require cognitive stimulation, such as complex dances and singing, may play a part in preserving brain function and activity.