Board games linked to modest gains in memory and processing speed across ages
A meta-analysis of 24 studies found that playing board games was associated with improvements in specific cognitive tasks—particularly verbal short-term memory in children, visuospatial memory in kindergarteners, and processing speed in older adults—though evidence remains limited and heterogeneity was high.
Researchers systematically reviewed 5,288 studies across four databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Medline) to assess whether board games could improve executive functions—the mental processes underlying planning, attention, and problem-solving. Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria; 16 provided sufficient data for meta-analysis.
The systematic review found particular benefits for verbal short-term memory in children. The meta-analysis identified significant effects for visuospatial short-term memory in kindergarten-age children and processing speed in older adults, though the authors noted high heterogeneity across studies, suggesting inconsistent results. The authors assessed risk of bias and conducted meta-regression analysis. Critically, the reviewers concluded that current evidence is "not yet sufficient to support a strong recommendation" for board games as a cognitive intervention, emphasizing that while findings are "promising," well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
The meta-analysis found moderate, statistically significant effects for processing speed in older adults and visuospatial working memory in younger children, but individual study quality varied considerably. The authors identified high heterogeneity, meaning that effect sizes differed substantially across studies—likely reflecting differences in game choice, duration of play, player age, and how cognition was measured. No single board game was identified as superior, and the studies reviewed rarely compared board games to active control conditions (e.g., other social activities or cognitive training). The promise lies partly in the social and motivational engagement board games offer; they require turn-taking, rule adherence, and strategic thinking in a naturalistic, enjoyable context. However, the mechanism by which game play transfers to broader cognitive improvement remains unclear, and the reviewers explicitly flagged the need for large, rigorous randomized trials with long-term follow-up and validated cognitive batteries before claiming clinically meaningful benefit.
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- Can executive functions be improved by playing board games across the lifespan? A systematic review and meta-analysis. — Applied psychology. Health and well-being (Read the original)