Playing Scrabble or other “thinking” board games, shows modern medical science to have many health benefits. Regardless of your age, brain sports, such as Scrabble, have proven to be particularly beneficial for many aspects of a person’s mental health.
At the simplest and most obvious end of the spectrum, the social aspects of Scrabble and other board games can be prophylactic or even the treatment of loneliness, depression and social phobia.
At the other end of the spectrum, a study from the University of Southern California and published in the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences shows that mentally stimulating recreational activities in early and middle age are strongly associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Disease in later life.
In a similar study by the National Institute of Health, the National Institute on Aging, in 2002, 700 people with dementia aged 65 and over were studied for 4.5 years. He compared the level of active cognitive actions regularly conducted by research participants, such as card games, checkers, crosswords, reading books and visiting museums. NIH concluded that people with the highest level of cognitive activity in their lifestyle reduced by 47% the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than those who had the lowest level of cognitive activity in their lifestyle.
A study by the NSW University in 2008, published in the periodical journal Public Library of Sciences, adds that in addition to Alzheimer's disease, the onset of other degenerative brain diseases, such as Huntington and Parkinson's; s Illnesses can also be delayed or preceded by these forms of mental activity. The brain region, known as the hippocampus, which is known to decrease with age, and especially with these three degenerative diseases of the brain, has been found to have only half the speed of shrinkage in people engaged in active mental tasks, as in patients with low mental stimulation.
Evidence suggests that “use it or lose it” for human cognitive health.
If it is too late for prevention, research from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, published in the journal Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, is still encouraging. They demonstrated that computer and internet mental stimulation, such as games, can play a useful role along with medications in improving the cognitive function of Alzheimer's patients. This is another plus for Scrabble, whose various online versions have turned the game into one of the most popular online today.
Regardless of Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, cognitive decline is very common as we develop over the years. Medical research teachers who clearly control the brain, playing with puzzles, games, research, and similar tools, are an effective method of slowing down the rate of cognitive decline. Moreover, the earlier people in life begin to regularly participate in such active games and brain activities, the more time is required before any cognitive decline even begins.
The lesson is clear. Play Scrabble and other brain games regularly to improve and maintain overall mental health throughout life, as well as help prevent Alzheimer's disease or other forms of cognitive decline in age associated with your later life.
