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Dementia prevention

Table Tennis and Dementia

Teaser: 

Dr. Gabriel Chan,1 Nicky Lam,2

1Geriatrician, Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, ON.
2Social Worker, Caregiver Education & Support Services, Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, ON.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: This report examines the relationship between table tennis and dementia through a global environmental scan and literature review. Research indicates that table tennis improves cognitive, physical, neurological, and psychological functioning in older adults, potentially slowing cognitive decline associated with dementia. The analysis presents a holistic intervention model, reviews comparable global programs, and identifies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for implementing table tennis programs as non-pharmaceutical interventions for dementia symptoms.
Key Words: Dementia prevention, cognitive exercise, table tennis therapy, non-pharmaceutical intervention.
Table tennis has demonstrated neurological benefits including increased brain blood flow, hippocampal volume, and gray and white matter in regions associated with age-related degeneration.
Regular table tennis participation improves cognitive functions like inhibition, memory, and reaction time while reducing depression and improving psychological wellbeing.
The physical aspects of table tennis enhance agility, strength, and bone mineral density, making it an accessible and low-cost intervention for older adults.
A holistic approach combining cognitive, physical, psychological, and social benefits makes table tennis a promising non-pharmaceutical treatment option for dementia symptoms.
A 10-week table tennis intervention program for patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease showed measurable increases in hippocampal volume and improved scores on Mini-mental state examinations, suggesting it can be an effective complementary treatment alongside standard care.
For optimal cognitive benefits, structure table tennis sessions to incorporate cognitive challenges (such as the “go/no-go” task of choosing when to hit or not hit) rather than simple rallying, as this combination of physical and cognitive exercise produces greater improvements than either alone.
When implementing table tennis programs for dementia patients, ensure safety protocols are in place with trained staff nearby, as cognitive bias may cause participants to overestimate their physical capacity, potentially leading to falls or cardiovascular events.
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Related Terms: Radiology, Dementia prevention, cognitive exercise, table tennis therapy, non-pharmaceutical intervention
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