The Impact of Game Activities on Life Satisfaction and Psychological Well-Being in Older Adults

Launched by MERSIN UNIVERSITY · May 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study, called “The Impact of Game Activities on Life Satisfaction and Psychological Well-Being in Older Adults” (Game4elders), tests whether two simple games—Jenga and Bocce—can boost happiness and mental well‑being in healthy adults aged 60 to 85. About 36 participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Jenga, Bocce, or a control group that receives usual care. The study is being conducted at Mersin University in Turkey, and results are not yet reported.

Participants will complete brief checks and questionnaires before starting and then again around five weeks later. In the Jenga group, people play in pairs for about 30 minutes once a week for four weeks; the Bocce group plays a similar schedule, with some tasks done before testing. The control group does not receive the extra game activities. The main goal is to see if these game activities improve life satisfaction and psychological well-being, measured by standard scales before and after the four weeks. Eligible participants should be adults 60–85, literate, able to communicate, without major cognitive impairment (MMSE score of 25 or higher), and enrolled in the 60+ Lifelong University.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Be 60 years old or older
• • Be literate
• • Not have visual or hearing impairments
• • Be able to communicate verbally
• • Not have sensory loss, arthritis, phlebitis, inflammation, eczema, fractures, etc.
• • Not have any loss of fingers or limbs
• • Have a score of 25 or higher on the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE)
• • Not have been diagnosed with mental illnesses such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, or major depression
• • Be enrolled in the 60+ Lifelong University
• • Agree to participate in the study
• • Exclusion Criteria:Be 85 years old or older (35)
• • Have sensory problems in the hands
• • Have deformities in the hands and nails
• • Have open wounds or burns on the hands
• • Have limb loss in the fingers
• • Have neuropathy
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