Feasibility and effects of a multicomponent program incorporating esports on physical and cognitive function among older adults: A non-randomised pilot trial
7 affiliations
- 1School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- 2Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan
- 3School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 4Center for Innovation Policy, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- 5School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health and Social Work, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
- 6Center for Research Strategy, Waseda University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
- 7Cancer Prevention and Control Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Abstract
Background: Esports (competitive and organised video gaming) may enhance physical and cognitive health in older adults. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and effects of a multicomponent program incorporating esports on physical and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This parallel, non-randomised controlled trial was conducted in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan. Twenty-six participants who 1) were aged 60 years or older, 2) had no cognitive impairment, 3) had no major health problems, and 4) had no prior experience with digital games were allocated to either the intervention (n = 12) or the control (n = 14) group. Participants in the intervention group attended weekly 90-minute sessions consisting of health education, exercise, and esports for 12 weeks. The feasibility of the program was assessed based on adverse events, participant retention, adherence to the program, engagement in digital games outside the program, enjoyment of the program, and willingness to continue playing esports after the study period. Additionally, psychological status, physical and cognitive function, and body composition were assessed. Results: No adverse events were reported; 10 of the 12 participants attended ≥80% of the sessions, all participants reported enjoying the program, and no participants dropped out during follow-up. Positive psychological status scores increased from before to after each session among participants in the intervention group. Furthermore, adjusted analyses showed more favourable changes in gait speed and balance in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.05). However, the effects on physical function remain uncertain because the analyses were exploratory. Conclusions: The program showed potential for high retention and adherence among older adults, with no adverse events. Larger-scale trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this intervention program, as the analyses in this study were exploratory. Trial registration: The study protocol was registered with the UMIN-CTR (ID: UMIN000055350; date of first registration: 27 August 2024).
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BibTeX
@article{nemoto2026feasibility,
title = {{Feasibility and effects of a multicomponent program incorporating esports on physical and cognitive function among older adults: A non-randomised pilot trial}},
author = {Yuta Nemoto and Fumie Otsuka and Shihoko Suzuki and Saori Kataoka and Tomoko Nakanishi and Takuya Ueda and Susumu Ogawa and Sumika Karasawa and Mikiko Shimaoka and Hiroto Narimatsu and Ung-il Chung},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357666},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357666},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Feasibility and effects of a multicomponent program incorporating esports on physical and cognitive function among older adults: A non-randomised pilot trial
AU - Yuta Nemoto
AU - Fumie Otsuka
AU - Shihoko Suzuki
AU - Saori Kataoka
AU - Tomoko Nakanishi
AU - Takuya Ueda
AU - Susumu Ogawa
AU - Sumika Karasawa
AU - Mikiko Shimaoka
AU - Hiroto Narimatsu
AU - Ung-il Chung
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/03
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357666
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357666
AB - Background: Esports (competitive and organised video gaming) may enhance physical and cognitive health in older adults. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and effects of a multicomponent program incorporating esports on physical and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This parallel, non-randomised controlled trial was conducted in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan. Twenty-six participants who 1) were aged 60 years or older, 2) had no cognitive impairment, 3) had no major health problems, and 4) had no prior experience with digital games were allocated to either the intervention (n = 12) or the control (n = 14) group. Participants in the intervention group attended weekly 90-minute sessions consisting of health education, exercise, and esports for 12 weeks. The feasibility of the program was assessed based on adverse events, participant retention, adherence to the program, engagement in digital games outside the program, enjoyment of the program, and willingness to continue playing esports after the study period. Additionally, psychological status, physical and cognitive function, and body composition were assessed. Results: No adverse events were reported; 10 of the 12 participants attended ≥80% of the sessions, all participants reported enjoying the program, and no participants dropped out during follow-up. Positive psychological status scores increased from before to after each session among participants in the intervention group. Furthermore, adjusted analyses showed more favourable changes in gait speed and balance in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.05). However, the effects on physical function remain uncertain because the analyses were exploratory. Conclusions: The program showed potential for high retention and adherence among older adults, with no adverse events. Larger-scale trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this intervention program, as the analyses in this study were exploratory. Trial registration: The study protocol was registered with the UMIN-CTR (ID: UMIN000055350; date of first registration: 27 August 2024).
SN - 1932-6203
ER -