Crossword puzzles are a favorite way to pass time and relax for many. And new studies show that crossword puzzles can do more than just pass time. Some claim crossword puzzles can help prevent memory loss for adults. But, do these crossword puzzles really help? Here's what the research says.
Memory loss is very common as humans age, and health organizations agree that mild changes in cognition is normal. However, conditions like mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can cause dementia, which is absolutely not normal. Unfortunately, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than six million Americans have dementia, with the number expected to rise to 13 million by 2050.
According to research, participating in more mentally stimulating activities throughout life is linked to enhanced cognitive function, slowed cognitive aging, and a lower risk of dementia. And crossword puzzles are indeed an example of a mentally stimulating activity, along with certain video games.
Crossword puzzles, or simply crosswords, are fun games that many use to kill boredom and pass the time. Emerging research now suggests, though, that crosswords can be useful in reducing memory loss in adults with mild cognitive impairment. This research involved 107 participants with mild cognitive impairment in a 78-week, randomized single-blinded trial.
Of the 107 participants, 51 were assigned to games, while 56 were assigned to crosswords. The study involved 12 weeks of intensive, home-based, computerized training with web-based cognitive games or crosswords. Results from the study show that the crossword group demonstrated more improved cognition and functional ability than the games group.
The results of the research quite clearly indicate an improvement in cognition and functional brain ability among people that were assigned computerized crossword puzzles compared to video games. But the research is a long way from being conclusive or definitive due to some limitations.
Firstly, the sample size of 107 participants is far too low to make any definitive assumptions. Again, the study only included participants that could speak English, have internet access, and a computer at their home. Therefore, only people of a particular socioeconomic status could partake in the study. Subsequent studies need to involve more people to improve the validity of the results.
More importantly, the study did not have a control group, that is, a group that was assigned neither crosswords nor video games. If anything, the research is a comparison of crosswords and video games in reducing memory loss among people with mild cognitive impairment. Without a control group, it is impossible to know if the reduction in memory loss is significant and if crosswords offer any real benefit to people with MCI.
While recent research shows that crosswords are beneficial for people with mild cognitive impairment, older studies don’t necessarily agree. A study conducted in 1999 did not find any evidence that playing crossword puzzles more than two times weekly resulted in less cognitive decline.
The author argued that crosswords don’t target the fluid cognitive abilities affected by mild cognitive impairment. Instead, the puzzles target an individual’s crystallized cognitive abilities.
This research offers a relevant point of view, but several studies have found that mentally stimulating activities do help patients with mild cognitive impairment. Crosswords fit the bill of mentally stimulating activity. Nonetheless, more research is necessary before conclusive claims can be made about crossword puzzles' ability to slow memory loss.
The study under review compared the effects of crossword puzzles and video games on slowing memory loss and improving functional mental ability. Researchers employed Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive score (ADAS-Cog), a 70-point scale to assess results.
ADAS-Cog scores worsened by an average of 0.4 points among people that played video games and improved by nearly a point among people that played crosswords. By the end of the trial, those who completed crossword puzzles also had improved daily functioning and showed reduced shrinkage of brain tissue on MRI scans.
That the crossword puzzles group performed better than the video games group was a surprise to many experts, including the author of the study. Previous research generally suggested that the video games group would have performed better.
There are multiple possible reasons why the crossword puzzles group may have come out on top. For one, the study was among participants between ages 55 and 95, with the average age being 71. Previous research that propped up games as a strategy for reducing memory loss usually involved a younger range. So, it may be possible that crosswords will be better at improving cognition among older participants compared to video games.
Another reason the age of participants could affect the results is that older people will be more familiar with crosswords than video games. If this is the case, older participants will be more mentally stimulated by crossword puzzles than video games, and this may be the reason for the unexpected results between the two groups.
Judging from this one study, crosswords do help slow memory loss in people with mild cognitive impairment. One reason for this may be that crossword puzzles can improve mental acuity, which refers to being mentally sharp. This is unsurprising, as the puzzles often involve players tasking their brains to find the right words to complete the game.
Another possible reason crosswords can help with memory loss is that the puzzles can relieve stress. This is common with many activities that stimulate mental activity. Stress in the body can lead to a lot of conditions, including Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS).
This is a condition that occurs when the body’s stress response cannot cope with chronic life stressors. Adrenal fatigue is not the same as Addison’s disease, which occurs when the adrenal glands cannot make enough hormones. While the body has an in-built stress coping mechanism, known as the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response, chronic stress may still occur.
There are six circuits of the NEM, working hand-in-hand to prevent stress. However, any one of these circuits may dysregulate under certain conditions, which can then result in adrenal fatigue. The circuit concerned with the development and progression of dementia is the Neuroaffect circuit. When this circuit dysregulates, anxiety and other mental symptoms may arise, which can then contribute to dementia.
Studies show crosswords can reduce anxiety and stress, which can prevent the neuroaffect circuit from dysregulating. Therefore, crosswords can indirectly prevent conditions like adrenal fatigue and dementia.
Most studies on crossword puzzles for memory loss usually involve adults. Therefore, it is tricky to say definitively if crossword puzzles reduce memory loss in all individuals. In fact, the research reviewed does not have a control group. This implies that there is a possibility crossword puzzles aren’t even that significant in retarding memory loss.
Nevertheless, previous studies suggest that crosswords are good for mental stimulation. This aligns with a popular saying among mental health specialists: “use it or lose it.” The implication of this is that any activity that can stimulate the brain will reduce the risk of memory loss and dementia in all individuals.
Considering that the study does not have a control group, there is no way to tell if crosswords offer any significant benefit for managing mild cognitive impairment. The authors of the study even stated that both crossword puzzles and video games could have been efficacious if there was a control group. Conversely, they both could have been insignificant.
There have been differing viewpoints on whether these interventions prevent memory loss. Some studies show that they could be useful, while others play down their impact.
Generally, though, most experts don’t expect crossword puzzles to have any sort of significant effect in improving cognition. But, even if there is a slight chance of being useful for preventing memory loss, it is worth considering. Crosswords bear little risk and are worth a shot.
However, crossword puzzles are not and should not be considered as sole management options in adults showing signs of dementia. A proper medical assessment is necessary to ensure the affected individual is getting the right care.
At least one small study found that crossword puzzles can help reduce memory loss in people with mild cognitive impairment. The degree to which the puzzles reduce memory loss was even higher than with video games, and there is very little risk. Therefore, they are worth considering when managing people with an increased risk of dementia.
However, the popular study comparing puzzles and video games did not have a control group. Also, the study’s sample size was low. Therefore, more comprehensive and controlled trials are necessary before we can make any definitive claims.
For more information about ways to manage memory loss, especially that connected to chronic stress, the team at Dr. Lam Coaching can help. We offer a free, no-obligation phone consultation at +1 (626) 571-1234 where we will privately discuss your symptoms and various options. You can also send us a question through our Ask The Doctor system by clicking here.
Researchers in one small study have compared crossword puzzles to video games and found that the former is better for improving cognition and functional mental ability. However, the study did not compare the effects of crossword puzzles to doing nothing and only used around a hundred people. This means we still need more studies to say whether it is helpful or not.
