Older adults got a surprising new prescription: play time. In a small rehab program, a Nintendo Switch turned exercise and brain practice into something that felt closer to game night than a clinic visit.
Over six weeks, older participants met for two-hour weekly sessions guided by occupational therapists, working on coordination, attention, and mood through simple challenges.
The results, according to a study by Rey Juan Carlos University, published in the Healthcare Journal, pointed to better motor skills, sharper focus, and a confidence boost that came from learning new tech in a friendly group.
A console in the therapy room
The Switch fit rehab because the Joy-Con controllers reacted to movement, so hands, arms, and posture mattered, not just button presses.
Therapy sessions used titles such as Brain Training and Nintendo Switch Sports to blend mental tasks with light physical activity.
Games used in the sessions mixed quick thinking with movement. Rock, paper, scissors pushed speed and coordination, bowling supported joint mobility and precision, and chambara demanded balance and focus.
That mix helped older adults practice real-world skills, like steady hands, quick reactions, and planning the next move, without it feeling like homework.
Why games can help the aging brain
Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt, does not stop as people get older. It can still respond to new tasks, repetition, and feedback, especially when the activity feels enjoyable.
Researchers have tested game-based programs in older adults with cognitive impairment, using structured sessions to work on attention, memory, and everyday function.
Research on computerized cognitive games in adults over 60 has found small but real gains in areas like processing speed and working memory, which matter for daily tasks.
Video game training trials have also reported improvements in attention and working memory measures after structured practice sessions.
Another line of evidence has looked at mood. A systematic review and meta-analysis of serious games for depression in older adults reported measurable effects across randomized controlled trials, even though results depended on the design and the person.
Movement, balance, and confidence
Not every benefit stayed inside the head. Games that asked players to swing, step, or aim added light physical activity, which can support mobility and confidence, especially for people who avoid traditional exercise.
In the Switch program, participants improved coordination, reflexes, attention, and manipulative skills, and the biggest surprise was emotional; many rediscovered curiosity and pride in mastering something new.
That pride mattered because healthy aging is not only about avoiding illness. It is also about staying independent, feeling capable, and having reasons to leave the house and meet others.
Group play supported that. Shared matches and friendly competition encouraged conversation, laughter, and patience, which can matter as much as the score.
Making it safe and social
The strongest results often showed up when gaming included other people. Gaming interventions with a social component have been linked to better social connections and lower loneliness in many studies and reviews.
Safety still came first. Sessions worked best with a therapist or family member nearby, a clear play space, breaks for hydration, and games matched to ability, so no one strained a shoulder or felt embarrassed.
It also helped to keep expectations realistic. One real-world study of adults aged 65 and older found no significant change in overall flourishing linked to gaming, but it also found no clear evidence of worse sedentary habits.
Simple tweaks made the play easier. Bigger on-screen text, slower game speed, seated options, and short sessions kept the focus on comfort, not frustration.
The real win screen
Video games will not replace medical care, but they can make rehab and cognitive practice easier to stick with, which is half the battle.
For many older adults, the Switch-style approach offered three simple wins: Move a little, think a little, and laugh with someone while doing it.
If the controller felt intimidating, the fix was simple: Start with short sessions, pick familiar sports-style games, and let the learning curve be part of the fun.
When play is guided by professionals and treated like a routine, not a one-time novelty, it can support active aging in a way that feels human and enjoyable.