Evidence and research
Alongside community sessions, Million Minds plans to work with researchers to study participation, learning experiences and possible wellbeing outcomes. Healthy minds are our aspiration; research is how we find out what actually helps.
Chess gives structured practice in planning, attention and decision-making under rules. Staying mentally and socially active is widely encouraged for healthy ageing, and research into specific cognitive activities is still developing [R2].
Reviews of chess instruction find that many studies lack strong controls, and gains outside the game are hard to separate from other factors [R1, R3]. We do not claim that chess prevents dementia, treats addiction or raises intelligence.
Study pipeline
Every study will publish its protocol status, funding, conflicts, aggregate results and limitations.
| Study | Population | Design | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| School feasibility pilot | Schoolchildren in existing Million Minds sessions | Attendance, acceptability, access barriers and retention over 6 to 8 weeks | Planned |
| Older adults and social play | Adults aged 60 and over in partner venues | Mixed-methods evaluation with validated measures chosen by qualified collaborators | Seeking partners |
| Recreational chess in recovery settings | People in addiction recovery, within a professionally managed program | Partner-led pilot, recreational scope only, after ethics review | Seeking partners |
How we will work
Population, comparison, outcomes and analysis are defined before anyone is recruited.
Informed consent, guardian permission and child assent where appropriate. Research is always optional.
Before-and-after changes are not presented as caused by chess. Limitations are published with findings.
Sources
R1Sala, G., Foley, J. P. & Gobet, F. (2017). The effects of chess instruction on pupils' cognitive and academic skills. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 238. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00238
R2National Institute on Aging. Cognitive health and older adults. nia.nih.gov
R3Sala, G. & Gobet, F. (2016). Do the benefits of chess instruction transfer to academic and cognitive skills? A meta-analysis. Educational Research Review, 18, 46–57. doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2016.02.002
None of these sources measures Million Minds programs.
Are you a school, parent, community group or coach? Tell us whom you would like to involve and where. We can discuss a suitable session.