Adoption of board game as a form of cognitive training for older people

Cujzek, Marina. (2015). Adoption of board game as a form of cognitive training for older people. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Vranić, Andrea].

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Abstract

Cognitive decline is a problem faced by many people in the elderly. Cognitive training is one way that can slow cognitive decline. Playing board games can also strengthen cognitive skills that decline in older people. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the adoption of the board game "Belot" in processing speed, attention, working memory and fluid reasoning. Participants (N=31) were divided into two groups: experimental and active control (the players play "Man, don't get angry"). Cognitive training lasted six weeks, and the participants played each week computer versions of games twice for 30 minutes. The results showed improvement in the experimental group in the fluid reasoning test and in reduced number of errors in attention test. Also, there was an increasing trend of a number of correct answers in the test of working memory. Choice reaction time, the number of correct answers in attention test and the number of tasks of working memory test in which both answers were correct showed a significant improvement between the two measurements. However, there was no difference between groups. The results suggest that playing "Belot" has a positive effect on cognitive functions and further research are needed for better understanding of its effects.

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