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A Brief History of Mahjong
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The game is played with tiles featuring different symbols and suits, requiring players to form winning combinations while tracking opponents' moves and adapting their strategies. Today, mahjong remains especially popular among older adults, thanks in part to its social nature and mentally engaging gameplay — making it one of the more underrated brain games for seniors.
Does Mahjong Help Prevent Cognitive Decline?
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"There is research showing that participating in games such as mahjong on a consistent basis has an association with greater cognitive function, lower rates of cognitive decline and improved emotional states," she says. "However, most of this evidence is correlational instead of causal."
The Social Connection May Be Just as Important for Healthy Aging
Though Bohn notes that researchers have not yet clinically proven that mahjong directly prevents cognitive decline, a 2024 study found that adults age 60 and older who played mahjong reported a stronger sense of social connection and improved self-esteem.
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Katie Grigg, a dementia specialist and former NHS dementia practitioner, agrees. "Activities that challenge the mind and encourage social connection can be particularly beneficial, as social isolation is itself a known risk factor."
A Winning Hand for Healthy Aging
While mahjong isn't a guaranteed defense against dementia or declining mental faculties, experts say it offers something many brain-health activities lack: a combination of mental challenge, strategy, memory training, and meaningful social interaction. And that may be a winning hand for healthy aging.
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