Board Games

This scoping review investigated whether playing chess can protect against dementia or improve cognitive function in diagnosed individuals. While evidence supports chess as a preventive activity for reducing dementia risk, its benefits for those already diagnosed are less clear. Chess stimulates cognitive functions like memory, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning, which may enhance cognitive reserve and delay cognitive decline. However, the findings highlight the need for more robust studies to confirm its therapeutic potential.

This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of chess instruction on children's academic performance and cognitive skills, analyzing 24 studies. The findings revealed moderate benefits in mathematics, reading, and cognitive abilities, with the strongest effects seen in mathematics. Longer durations of chess instruction (over 25 hours) produced greater improvements. However, the review cautioned that most studies lacked rigorous control designs, raising concerns about placebo effects or other confounding factors influencing results.

This study assessed the impact of using modern board games in classrooms on children's cognitive and academic development. In a randomized trial with 522 primary school students, those who played board games in class showed improved executive functions, such as working memory, and academic skills, particularly in reading and math, compared to peers in traditional lessons. The findings suggest that incorporating structured game-based learning can effectively enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and educational outcomes in young learners.

This randomized controlled trial assessed how board games affect balance, cognition, and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults. Over eight weeks, participants who played games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and Chess improved their cognitive function (measured by MMSE), balance (BBS), and mobility (DGI), while reducing fall risk. The study highlights board games as a simple and effective way to enhance physical and cognitive health in older adults, supporting safer mobility and functional independence.

This study examined how solving jigsaw puzzles (JPs) affects cognitive abilities and brain health in adults aged 50 and older. Results showed that JP-solving strongly engages multiple cognitive processes, including visuospatial reasoning, memory, and flexibility. While long-term JP activity correlated with improved cognition, a 30-day intervention alone did not yield significant cognitive benefits compared to a control group. These findings suggest that consistent and long-term engagement in cognitively demanding activities like JP-solving may protect against cognitive decline.

This French cohort study explored the relationship between board game playing and dementia risk over 20 years in 3,675 participants. Board game players had a 15% lower risk of developing dementia and experienced slower cognitive decline and reduced depression compared to non-players. The benefits were attributed to enhanced cognitive reserve and mental engagement. However, the reduced dementia risk was less clear after adjusting for baseline cognitive performance and depression, highlighting potential confounding factors.

This systematic review analyzed 27 studies on the use of board games for educational, cognitive, and therapeutic purposes. Results showed board games improve learning, cognitive functions like memory and reasoning, and social interactions. They were also effective for specific conditions, such as reducing ADHD symptoms and enhancing physical activity. While these findings highlight board games as tools for mental and social enrichment, the limited number of rigorous studies underscores the need for further research into their broader clinical applications.