Tabletop games

Q: What did studies of Tabletop games find?

Studies of Tabletop games measured 2 outcomes; the most studied are memory and related cognitive performance (1 study) and cognitive function (1).

Q: What is Tabletop games linked with?

Studies link Tabletop games with 1 measure, most often cognitive function (1 study).

Tabletop games has been studied in 3 papers since 2022: 1 trial and 1 observational study in people, 1 review; 1 in the past year. The newest story, Nov 1, 2026: “Tabletop and screen games linked to memory gains in older adults”.

Intervention

3 papers study it3 findingsUpdated Oct 30, 2026

1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 3

“At post-test, the two intervention groups had higher total WMS scores than the control group (both P < 0.001)”

Impact of physical versus digital games on memory and related cognitive performance in older adults: a randomized controlled trialBMC geriatrics2026doi:10.1186/s12877-026-08545-w

None of its findings points the other way.

3 independent labs in 3 countries

Funders: National Health and Medical Research Council and 1 more

Human trial1
Humans1

Studies in people

1 study gave tabletop games to people and measured what changed.

up: Improves memory and related cognitive performance
Randomized trial20 people≥ 60 years15 sessions
Older adults; Community-dwelling older adults; tabletop games plus usual program versus usual program alone
BMC geriatrics, Oct 30, 2026

What did studies of Tabletop games find?

Studies of Tabletop games measured 2 outcomes; the most studied are memory and related cognitive performance (1 study) and cognitive function (1).

Memory and related cognitive performance

upin humans1

1 study

Tabletop games improve memory and related cognitive performance in humans.
“At post-test, the two intervention groups had higher total WMS scores than the control group (both P < 0.001)”
Human trialCommunity-dwelling older adults; tabletop games plus usual program versus usual program alone40-minute sessions twice weekly for 15 sessions15 sessionsn = 20
Tabletop and screen games linked to memory gains in older adults
BMC geriatricsOct 30, 2026

Cognitive function

upin humans1

1 study

Tabletop games improve cognitive function in humans (intact cognition) (SMD = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.37-2.34, P < 0.001).
“In older adults with intact cognition, tabletop games had positive effects on their global cognition (standardized mean differences [SMD] = 1.36, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.37-2.34, P < 0.001)”
Reviewintact cognition
Effects of Tabletop Games on Cognition in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Games for health journalJun 10, 2022

What is Tabletop games linked with?

Studies link Tabletop games with 1 measure, most often cognitive function (1 study).

Cognitive function

upin humans1

1 study

Tabletop games are associated with cognitive function in humans (older adults).
“Cognitive functioning was positively associated with playing tabletop games and using the internet in both sexes at all time-points.”
Humansolder adultsn = 998
Network of mental activities, cognitive function and depression in older men and women
Journal of psychiatric researchMay 2, 2023

Latest

1 paper in 12 months

BMC GeriatricsNov 1

Tabletop and screen games linked to memory gains in older adults

In a randomized trial of 60 adults aged 60 or older, both game groups scored higher than controls after 15 sessions.In a randomized trial of 60 adults aged 60 or older, both game groups scored higher than controls after 15 sessions.

Randomized trial · 60 peopleInterventions