Efeitos de um programa de treinamento de xadrez sobre a cognição, humor, e qualidade de vida em pessoas idosas

Abstract

The growing increase in the elderly population with cognitive impairment highlights the need for strategies that promote the preservation and protection of cognition in this age group. In this context, chess presents itself as a potentially beneficial practice. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of chess training on cognitive ability, mood, and quality of life in a group of older adults attending a Senior Community Center located in a city in the interior of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Method: The research adopted a quasi-experimental, quantitative approach with a pre- and post-intervention design, involving weekly training sessions. The sample consisted of 25 older adults, of whom 22 completed the study (12 in the Chess Intervention Group and 10 in the Control Group – waiting list, three were excluded due to withdrawal because of health problems.), with three participants excluded due to health-related withdrawal. The classes were structured using the Sessa Platform, which served both as an evaluation tool and as a resource for the systematic teaching of chess. The intervention lasted for six months, with weekly one-hour sessions (24 in total) lasting 1 hour. Data collection instruments included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life for Older Persons (WHOQOL-OLD). Data were tabulated and analyzed using Jeffrey’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), version 0.18. Results: The results showed that most participants were female, divorced, belonged to the C2 economic class, and practiced physical activity. The comparison between the pré - and post-intervention moments of the Chess Intervention Group (GIX) revealed a significant improvement in the domain of chess knowledge (p=0.009), as measured by the Sessa platform, reflecting progress in learning and concentration ability. Significant effects were also observed for anxiety symptoms (p=0.008), as well as positive trends in the domains of memory (p=0.062) and visuospatial function (p=0.056). Conclusion: It is concluded that chess may represent a relevant non-pharmacological intervention for the care of cognitive and emotional health in the older population.