The Cognitive Benefits of Playing Contract Bridge in Elderly Patients with Dementia
Abstract
Darwin Li
This literature review explores the potential cognitive benefits of engaging elderly individuals with dementia in the card game of contract bridge. Dementia, characterized by progressive cognitive decline, poses challenges in accurately assessing its impact on individuals, especially with the aging population and increased prevalence of comorbidities. Traditional pharmacological treatments have limitations, leading to a growing interest in non-pharmacological interventions. Cognitive training, including activities like playing bridge, emerges as a promising avenue. The review systematically examines the cognitive advantages associated with playing contract bridge in elderly individuals with dementia, defocusing on how engagement positively influences cognitive function and contributes to an enhanced quality of life. Despite some neural deterioration with age, the brain’s neuroplasticity can be harnessed through challenging environments, such as bridge playing, to regulate cognitive function. The literature underscores the intricate cognitive engagement of bridge players, particularly in working memory, but also highlights research gaps, such as the learning curve for dementia patients unfamiliar with bridge. The indirect effects of bridge playing on cognitive functionality and social ties are evident in various studies. The potential of contract bridge as a cognitive intervention for dementia patients warrants further investigation to address these gaps and solidify its position in enhancing cognitive function and promoting brain health in older adults. Overall, playing bridge emerges as a multifaceted approach, not only stimulating the brain but also fostering social interaction and cognitive well-being in older adults with dementia.