PubHawk
June 2003 PMID 12815136

Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly.

Joe Verghese, Richard B Lipton, Mindy J Katz, Charles B Hall, Carol A Derby, Gail Kuslansky, Anne F Ambrose, Martin Sliwinski, Herman Buschke

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Mentions

404
Peak: 7 in Jan 2019
across 6 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

225,499
potential audience

Total likes

78

Video views

407

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions demonstrate strong agreement with the study's conclusions, with references to scientific articles like NEJM and comments emphasizing activities such as dancing and reading as protective, using enthusiastic phrases like 'significantly reducing dementia risk' and 'it's never too late to start' to emphasize relevance and motivation.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions endorse the findings of the study, citing its support for leisure activities reducing dementia risk.

InterestHigh interest

Many discussions highlight the importance of activities like dancing, reading, and playing games, showing high engagement with the topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Postings reference specific research, mention implications, and cite authoritative sources like NEJM, indicating deep involvement.

ImpactHigh impact

The conversations reflect a belief that the research can influence lifestyle choices—such as adopting dance or cognitive hobbies—indicating high perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Engaging in leisure activities like reading, playing board games, or dancing is linked to a lower risk of developing dementia in the elderly, according to a long-term study.
  • The study suggests that participating in cognitive activities may help protect against dementia, while physical activities alone didn't show a significant effect.
  • These findings remained consistent even when accounting for early signs of dementia and applied to different types of dementia such as Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Jane Eyre (ジェーン・エア)
@jane_eyre108 · X

被験者数の少なさ、限られた地域性、異文化圏であることをput asideしても読書習慣の無いひとの約半数が認知症り患というのは中々にショックでした。ジャネみたく読書が苦手という性質自体認知機能の衰え❔鶏⇆卵論。楽器演奏やダンスはそれがfrequentな環境にあることも加勢⁉️https://t.co/U08LhNjVdo

Oct 2, 2024 · 30 likes · 601 followers View post →
積山薫@アクティブライフ創造ラボ
@sekiyama_kaoru · X

認知症リスク低減効果が高い上位３つの趣味に入ったダンス、ボードゲーム、楽器(Vergheseらの2003年の論文)。これらに共通しているのは、一緒にやる仲間がいて、認知的処理に基づきタイミング良く運動出力を出す必要がある点。仲間の存在は、想像以上に大切なのかも。 https://t.co/JMI7Y8xFiF

Dec 19, 2023 · 18 likes · 7 shares · 156 followers View post →
lordjimpt
@lordjimpt · X

@BarreiraCecilia Xadrez, bridge e danças de salão. A melhor prevenção. https://t.co/UZ7MgoPsVW

Sep 26, 2021 · 3 likes · 5,673 followers View post →
Cedric Dark, MD, MPH, FACEP
@RealCedricDark · X

My ballroom dance instructor is citing NEJM to claim “dancing makes you smarter” https://t.co/1leAmC3h7w

Mar 13, 2021 · 2 likes · 9,387 followers View post →
吉川ローガン有機［社交ダンス☺︎エヴァンジェリスト］
@PairDanceLover · X

@hjmYZ6DV8CiC https://t.co/bxRn6T0ukf これですね！ありがとうございます

Oct 1, 2024 · 2 likes · 1 share · 8,871 followers View post →
Camarada Legasov
@KamradLegasov · X

No. Los estudios hablan de 'podría haber', lejísimos está de estar demostrado. https://t.co/hgsvJv43YZ https://t.co/RjQCKSRh7U Además, el estudio que habla de tocar un instrumento (que no bailar) y bridge, no menciona específicamente el ajedrez sino 'juegos de mesa'. https://t.co/N3yIDPJ9Lf

Oct 27, 2020 · 2 likes · 8,372 followers View post →

All mentions

ًً
@magnaticsoul · X

https://t.co/812VirYaZS

Aug 6, 2025 · 1 like · 132 followers View post →
Markos Ubiria
@LiveLongVital · X

Mar 30, 2025 · 1 like · 349 followers View post →
JohannesBorgen
@jeuasommenulle · X

@davidlisnard @PetitesAffiches Et surtout, n'arrêtez pas au lycée, mais continuez longtemps, le bridge réduit le risque d'Alzheimer de 75% environ https://t.co/ZMrigiffkp

Feb 10, 2025 · 52,668 followers View post →
Jane Eyre (ジェーン・エア)
@jane_eyre108 · X

被験者数の少なさ、限られた地域性、異文化圏であることをput asideしても読書習慣の無いひとの約半数が認知症り患というのは中々にショックでした。ジャネみたく読書が苦手という性質自体認知機能の衰え❔鶏⇆卵論。楽器演奏やダンスはそれがfrequentな環境にあることも加勢⁉️https://t.co/U08LhNjVdo

Oct 2, 2024 · 30 likes · 601 followers View post →
防風
@sanmatabeni_iku · X

RT @PairDanceLover: @hjmYZ6DV8CiC https://t.co/bxRn6T0ukf これですね！ありがとうございます

Oct 2, 2024 · 1 share · 288 followers View post →
甲野功@あじさい鍼灸マッサージ治療院
@kouno_isao · X

吉川さん @PairDanceLover からの情報で知った論文。あとでしっかりと読んでみよう。 高齢者の余暇活動と認知症リスク https://t.co/amTcPSoHEc

Oct 1, 2024 · 2 likes · 3,298 followers View post →
吉川ローガン有機［社交ダンス☺︎エヴァンジェリスト］
@PairDanceLover · X

@hjmYZ6DV8CiC https://t.co/bxRn6T0ukf これですね！ありがとうございます

Oct 1, 2024 · 2 likes · 1 share · 8,871 followers View post →
Leo
@NYWiseass · X

https://t.co/LtT0YYrWtd

Mar 5, 2024 · 10,763 followers View post →
ひっそり
@Hissoritobo · X

RT @sekiyama_kaoru: 認知症リスク低減効果が高い上位３つの趣味に入ったダンス、ボードゲーム、楽器(Vergheseらの2003年の論文)。これらに共通しているのは、一緒にやる仲間がいて、認知的処理に基づきタイミング良く運動出力を出す必要がある点。仲間の存在は、…

Jan 4, 2024 · 7 shares · 28 followers View post →
hidekatsu yanagi
@HidekatsuYanagi · X

RT @sekiyama_kaoru: 認知症リスク低減効果が高い上位３つの趣味に入ったダンス、ボードゲーム、楽器(Vergheseらの2003年の論文)。これらに共通しているのは、一緒にやる仲間がいて、認知的処理に基づきタイミング良く運動出力を出す必要がある点。仲間の存在は、…

Dec 19, 2023 · 7 shares · 41 followers View post →
Aya.TOYOSHIMA
@A_toyoshimane · X

RT @sekiyama_kaoru: 認知症リスク低減効果が高い上位３つの趣味に入ったダンス、ボードゲーム、楽器(Vergheseらの2003年の論文)。これらに共通しているのは、一緒にやる仲間がいて、認知的処理に基づきタイミング良く運動出力を出す必要がある点。仲間の存在は、…

Dec 19, 2023 · 7 shares · 607 followers View post →
まさくん
@04_yamas · X

RT @sekiyama_kaoru: 認知症リスク低減効果が高い上位３つの趣味に入ったダンス、ボードゲーム、楽器(Vergheseらの2003年の論文)。これらに共通しているのは、一緒にやる仲間がいて、認知的処理に基づきタイミング良く運動出力を出す必要がある点。仲間の存在は、…

Dec 19, 2023 · 7 shares · 6 followers View post →
積山薫@アクティブライフ創造ラボ
@sekiyama_kaoru · X

認知症リスク低減効果が高い上位３つの趣味に入ったダンス、ボードゲーム、楽器(Vergheseらの2003年の論文)。これらに共通しているのは、一緒にやる仲間がいて、認知的処理に基づきタイミング良く運動出力を出す必要がある点。仲間の存在は、想像以上に大切なのかも。 https://t.co/JMI7Y8xFiF

Dec 19, 2023 · 18 likes · 7 shares · 156 followers View post →
National Center for Equitable Care for Elders
@NationalECE · X

A new year, a new you! It's never too late to start! "Leisure activities are associated with a reduced risk of #dementia, even after adjustment for base-line cognitive status and after the exclusion of subjects with possible preclinical dementia." https://t.co/geqIIzI71C

Jan 3, 2023 · 2 likes · 1,806 followers View post →
National Center for Equitable Care for Elders
@NationalECE · X

A new year, a new you! It's never too late to start! "Leisure activities are associated with a reduced risk of #dementia, even after adjustment for base-line cognitive status and after the exclusion of subjects with possible preclinical dementia." https://t.co/geqIIzI71C

Jan 1, 2023 · 1,806 followers View post →
National Center for Equitable Care for Elders
@NationalECE · X

"Participation in leisure activities is associated with a reduced risk of dementia, even after adjustment for base-line cognitive status and after the exclusion of subjects with possible preclinical dementia." https://t.co/geqIIzI71C

Dec 29, 2022 · 1,806 followers View post →
Bluerock Care
@bluerockcaredc · X

RT @NationalECE: It's never too late to start! #olderadults #exercise "Leisure activities are associated with a reduced risk of #dementia,…

Dec 10, 2022 · 1 share · 54 followers View post →
National Center for Equitable Care for Elders
@NationalECE · X

It's never too late to start! #olderadults #exercise "Leisure activities are associated with a reduced risk of #dementia, even after adjustment for base-line cognitive status and after the exclusion of subjects with possible preclinical dementia." https://t.co/geqIIzI71C

Dec 10, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 1,806 followers View post →
lordjimpt
@lordjimpt · X

@BarreiraCecilia Xadrez, bridge e danças de salão. A melhor prevenção. https://t.co/UZ7MgoPsVW

Sep 26, 2021 · 3 likes · 5,673 followers View post →
Heart Of Dance MN
@HeartOfDanceMN · X

The New England Journal of Medicine found that dancing was associated with a reduced risk of dementia. While there are cognitive activities that lower the risks, dancing was the only physical activity associated with a lower risk of dementia. https://t.co/tl5RZQ0KIv https://t.co/HUBVuNXMXD

Sep 22, 2021 · 50 followers View post →
Eric w/ one wild life
@MutualArising · X

@StewartalsopIII There’s a lot of studies that show some correlation between dancing and delaying both onset and speed of decline of dementia but the size of the effects and sample size of studies haven’t been super large. https://t.co/nUziaxQ9Xn

Aug 17, 2021 · 1 like · 959 followers View post →
lordjimpt
@lordjimpt · X

@CvNemesis @BarreiraCecilia Provavelmente também. Verghese J, Lipton R, Katz M, et al. 2003. Leisure Activities and the Risk of Dementia in the Elderly. The New England Journal of Medicine

May 11, 2021 · 1 like · 5,673 followers View post →
Cedric Dark, MD, MPH, FACEP
@RealCedricDark · X

My ballroom dance instructor is citing NEJM to claim “dancing makes you smarter” https://t.co/1leAmC3h7w

Mar 13, 2021 · 2 likes · 9,387 followers View post →
YS-Yellow Scene Magazine
@yellowscenemag · X

If I can't dance, then it's not my revolution. //Dancing was the only physical activity associated with a lower risk of dementia.// https://t.co/D9NfpnqVkd

Feb 17, 2021 · 2,602 followers View post →
Camarada Legasov
@KamradLegasov · X

No. Los estudios hablan de 'podría haber', lejísimos está de estar demostrado. https://t.co/hgsvJv43YZ https://t.co/RjQCKSRh7U Además, el estudio que habla de tocar un instrumento (que no bailar) y bridge, no menciona específicamente el ajedrez sino 'juegos de mesa'. https://t.co/N3yIDPJ9Lf

Oct 27, 2020 · 2 likes · 8,372 followers View post →
hiraishinobuyuki
@1987_nobu · X

認知症の予防には読書が有用といわれています

May 5, 2020 · 2 likes · 293 followers View post →
Campus Biotech
@CampusBiotech · X

As stated by @NEJM, participation in physical and #mental activities, such as reading, playing board games, playing musical instruments and dancing, improves #cognitive functioning and is thus associated with a reduced risk of #dementia. #BrainFacts https://t.co/WOrxl5P5S9 https://t.co/44LAgvxjg1

May 4, 2020 · 2,634 followers View post →
JB
@Berlin_Endgame · X

@BlackBeardChess @LeonWatson @sarahknapton If you’re going to read just one Verghese from 2003 is probably the best https://t.co/MJM9HmxOoU

Nov 27, 2019 · 1,679 followers View post →
Fardin
@Fardin93539844 · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Oct 28, 2019 · 21 shares · 2 followers View post →
Mark Anderson
@MarkAnd89659493 · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Oct 28, 2019 · 21 shares · 14 followers View post →
D
@drxzzypapi · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Oct 28, 2019 · 21 shares · 53 followers View post →
Dr. Glen Hepker - The Philosophy of True Health
@AGlimpsofHeaven · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Aug 13, 2019 · 21 shares · 19,434 followers View post →
Auntie Spirocheté
@AuntieSpiro · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Jul 18, 2019 · 21 shares · 1,108 followers View post →
RUMPUS research group
@GroupRumpus · X

Research from 2003 https://t.co/H9VqMJW2F8 https://t.co/xkcVzrTsOY

Apr 29, 2019 · 157 followers View post →
Dr. Glen Hepker - The Philosophy of True Health
@AGlimpsofHeaven · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Apr 8, 2019 · 21 shares · 19,434 followers View post →
Dr. Glen Hepker - The Philosophy of True Health
@AGlimpsofHeaven · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Mar 7, 2019 · 21 shares · 19,434 followers View post →
Influential Travelers
@InfluentialTra1 · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Feb 18, 2019 · 21 shares · 25 followers View post →
Dr. Glen Hepker - The Philosophy of True Health
@AGlimpsofHeaven · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Feb 4, 2019 · 21 shares · 19,434 followers View post →
FLY ON GYPSY
@FLYONGYPSY · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Jan 19, 2019 · 21 shares · 1,259 followers View post →
Brenda Williams
@BrendaW97569429 · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Jan 19, 2019 · 21 shares · 117 followers View post →
Healthy French Chef
@FrenchCookin · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Jan 18, 2019 · 21 shares · 1,790 followers View post →
rabab
@Omar1630Omar · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Jan 18, 2019 · 21 shares · 8 followers View post →
yıldız
@yldz15582508 · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Jan 18, 2019 · 21 shares · 35 followers View post →
Duchess M
@GMary14 · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Jan 18, 2019 · 21 shares · 197 followers View post →
Dr. Glen Hepker - The Philosophy of True Health
@AGlimpsofHeaven · X

RT @AngelinePacy: Dancing is an important part of Mediterranean & #longevity living, significantly reducing Dementia risk: https://t.co/iCu…

Jan 17, 2019 · 21 shares · 19,434 followers View post →