Effect of the strategy game Mangala on cognitive function, anxiety, depression, and fine motor skills in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease: A randomized controlled trial

Cognitive impairment, changes in mood, and decrease in fine motor skills are some of the most common symptoms experienced by individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the effects of the Turkish intelligence and strategy game Mangala on cognitive functions, anxiety, depression, and fine motor skills in individuals with AD. In this randomized controlled study, 37 participants were divided into Mangala Group (MG) and Control Group (CG). Both the MG (n = 18) and the CG (n = 19) attended daily physiotherapy and rehabilitation sessions. Additionally, the MG played Mangala 2 sessions/week for six weeks. The mood state was evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), cognitive functions were examined using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), and fine motor skills were measured using the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT). There was no significant difference between the groups pretreatment in terms of MoCA, depression and NHPT values (p > .05), except anxiety levels (p= .009) The MG showed significant improvement post-treatment in terms of MoCA and HAD anxiety (p =.0001 and p =.0008), HAD depression and fine motor skills (p =.043 and p =.0001). There were significant improvements in favor of MG in MoCA (p =.014) and NHPT (p =.004), but not in HAD anxiety (p =.782) and depression (p =.514) scores in terms of delta (difference between pre and post treatment) values. To prevent cognitive decline, reduce depression, and improve fine motor skills in patients with AD, The Mangala game may be a good alternative.