Playing board games, cognitive decline and dementia: a French population-based cohort study

Jean François Dartigues, Alexandra Foubert-Samier, Mélanie Le Goff, Mélanie Viltard, Hélène Amieva, Jean Marc Orgogozo, Pascale Barberger-Gateau, Catherine Helmer, Jean François Dartigues, Alexandra Foubert-Samier, Mélanie Le Goff, Mélanie Viltard, Hélène Amieva, Jean Marc Orgogozo, Pascale Barberger-Gateau, Catherine Helmer

Abstract

Objectives: To study the relationship between board game playing and risk of subsequent dementia in the Paquid cohort.

Design: A prospective population-based study.

Setting: In the Bordeaux area in South Western France.

Participants: 3675 non-demented participants at baseline.

Primary outcome measure: The risk of dementia during the 20 years of follow-up.

Results: Among 3675 non-demented participants at baseline, 32.2% reported regular board game playing. Eight-hundred and forty participants developed dementia during the 20 years of follow-up. The risk of dementia was 15% lower in board game players than in non-players (HR=0.85, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.99; p=0.04) after adjustment on age, gender, education and other confounders. The statistical significance disappeared after supplementary adjustment on baseline mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and depression (HR=0.96, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.12; p=0.61). However, board game players had less decline in their MMSE score during the follow-up of the cohort (β=0.011, p=0.03) and less incident depression than non-players (HR=0.84; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.98; p<0.03).

Conclusions: A possible beneficial effect of board game playing on the risk of dementia could be mediated by less cognitive decline and less depression in elderly board game players.

Keywords: Epidemiology; PUBLIC HEALTH.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Probability of survival without dementia according to regular board game playing. Kaplan-Meier estimates.

References

    1. Stern Y. Cognitive reserve in ageing and Alzheimer's disease. Lancet Neurol 2012;11:1006–12
    1. Akbaraly TN, Portet F, Fustinoni S, et al. Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly: results from the Three-City Study. Neurology 2009;73:854–61
    1. Stern Y, Blumen HM, Rich LW, et al. Space Fortress game training and executive control in older adults: a pilot intervention. Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn 2011;18:653–77
    1. Barnes DE, Yaffe K, Belfor N, et al. Computer-based cognitive training for mild cognitive impairment: results from a pilot randomized, controlled trial. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2009;23:205–10
    1. Cohen GD, Firth KM, Biddle S, et al. The first therapeutic game specifically designed and evaluated for Alzheimer's disease. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2008;23:540–51
    1. Bosch-Domenech A, Nagel R, Sanchez-Andres JV. Prosocial capabilities in Alzheimer's patients. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2010;65B:119–28
    1. Clarkson-Smith L, Hartley AA. The game of bridge as an exercise in working memory and reasoning. J Gerontol 1990;45:P233–8
    1. Nouchi R, Taki Y, Takeuchi H, et al. Brain training game improves executive functions and processing speed in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial. PLoS 2012;7:e29676
    1. Fabrigoule C, Letenneur L, Dartigues , et al. Social and leisure activities and risk of dementia: a prospective longitudinal study. J Am Geriatr Soc 1995;43:485–90
    1. Verghese J, Lipton RB, Katz MJ, et al. Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly. N Engl J Med 2003;348:2508–16
    1. Hughes TF, Chang C-CH, Vander Bilt J, et al. Engagement in reading and hobbies and risk of incident dementia: the MoVIES project. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2010;25:432–8
    1. Dartigues JF, Gagnon M, Michel P, et al. The Paquid research program on the epidemiology of dementia. Methods and initial results. Rev Neurol (Paris) 1991;147:225–30
    1. Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR. ‘Mini-mental state’. A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res 1975;12:189–98
    1. Fuhrer R, Antonucci TC, Gagnon M, et al. Depressive symptomatology and cognitive functioning: an epidemiological survey in an elderly community sample in France. Psychol Med 1992;22:159–72
    1. Proust-Lima C, Dartigues JF, Jacqmin-Gadda H. Misuse of the linear mixed model when evaluating risk factors of cognitive decline. Am J Epidemiol 2011;174:1077–88
    1. Amieva H, Le Goff M, Millet X, et al. Prodromal Alzheimer's disease: successive emergence of the clinical symptoms. Ann Neurol 2008;64:492–8
    1. Baron RM, Kenny DA. The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. J Pers Soc Psychol 1986;51:1173–82
    1. Dartigues JF, Feart C. Risk factors for Alzheimer disease: aging beyond age? Neurology 2011;77:206–7

Source: PubMed

Sponsors en medewerkers

Medische omstandigheden

Geneesmiddelinterventies

3
Abonneren