Go for the Mind: A Review of Go’s Cognitive Ben efits for the Young and Old

Xiuwen Wu /December 19, 2025

Abstract
This systematic qualitative review synthesizes research on the cognitive benefits of the board game Go, focusing on its role in fostering cognitive development in children and supporting cognitive maintenance in older adults. It addresses two key questions: (1) Which studies have examined the relationship between Go and cognition in children and older adults? (2) What cognitive benefits have these studies reported?

Thirteen peer-reviewed studies (2000–2024) were identified, all of which used Go as the main intervention and reported cognitive outcomes. Studies were coded for participants, methodology, setting, and outcome measures. Participants included children and older adults, with cognitive outcomes ranging from global cognition to attention, executive functioning, and memory. Methodologies in the quantitative studies varied and included randomized controlled trials, pre- and post-tests of cognitive function, neuroimaging (QEEG, PET), and biomarker analyses.

Evidence indicates that Go may foster cognitive growth in children and support cognitive functioning in older adults. Among older adults, including those with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer’s, Go was associated with improved or stable cognitive performance, reduced depressive symptoms, and enhanced quality of life. Neuroimaging and biomarkers suggest increased brain activation and improved brain health. For children with ADHD, Go supported improvements in attention regulation, working memory, and executive function. Its visual-spatial and strategic features also support reasoning, problem-solving, and mathematical thinking.

Overall, Go is a low-cost, accessible tool with potential cognitive, educational, and therapeutic benefits across the lifespan. However, research on children and classroom contexts is limited, with small sample sizes and inconsistent reports on effect size. Future studies should expand to young children, explore classroom applications, and continue longitudinal research to fully assess Go’s developmental and cognitive potential.

Keywords: Systematic review, cognitive development, cognitive mainte
nance, children, older adults, ADHD