The association between playing Ma-jong, chess, and card games and cognitive function improvement in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: cross-sectional evidence from CHARLS

Background

The relationship between participation in Ma-jong, chess, and card games (PMCC) and cognitive function improvement among middle-aged and elderly adults in China is not well-established. This study aims to investigate the potential association between PMCC participation and cognitive function improvement in this demographic, using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

Methods

Data from the 2018 wave of CHARLS were analyzed. Participants aged 45 and above who met the inclusion criteria were categorized based on their participation in PMCC activities. Cognitive function was assessed using a composite score incorporating episodic memory and mental status, alongside CESD-10 and CSI-D measures. Cross-sectional associations between PMCC engagement and cognitive function were examined using t-tests, chi-square tests, and one-way ANOVA. Group differences were assessed to evaluate the relationship between activity frequency and cognitive outcomes.

Results

A total of 19,816 participants (47.13% male; mean age 61.7 ± 10.3 years) were included in the study. The cognitive function related scores were significantly higher in the PMCC group (16.45%) compared to the non-PMCC group (83.55%) (P < 0.001). Moreover, the findings revealed significant associations between PMCC frequency and overall cognitive function scores (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

PMCC activities are associated with cognitive function improvement in middle-aged and elderly adults in China. These findings suggest that engaging in PMCC activities could serve as a potential protective factor for enhancing cognitive health in this population, providing a basis for incorporating PMCC into strategies aimed at promoting cognitive well-being and healthy aging.