Move by Move Towards Mental Health: A Quasi-Randomized Pilot Study on Chess as a Therapeutic Approach in Adolescents With Mental Disorders.

BackgroundMental disorders affect around 14% of adolescents worldwide and often lead to lasting cognitive and emotional difficulties. Executive functions (EF) are frequently impaired and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is reduced. Chess has been proposed as a low-cost cognitive remediation training (CRT). This pilot study examined whether a chess-based CRT could enhance EF and HRQoL in adolescents with mental disorders.MethodsA quasi-experimental study was conducted at a child and adolescent psychiatry department. Participants aged 13-17 years were assigned to either a six-week chess intervention (experimental group, EG) or treatment as usual (control group, CG). Both groups received standard multidisciplinary therapy, while the EG additionally participated in weekly 90-min chess sessions based on The King's Plan for Kids. Cognitive flexibility (DCCS), inhibitory control (Stop-Signal Task), sustained attention (d2-R), and working memory (n-back task) were assessed alongside HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-27). Data were analyzed using t-tests.ResultsThirty-three adolescents were included (19 EG, 14 CG; 82% female). The EG showed significantly faster reaction times in the working memory task (p = .016, d = 0.79) and greater Psychological well-being CG (p = .035, d = 0.67). No significant group differences were found for other EF measures.ConclusionChess-based CRT was associated with improved working memory efficiency and psychological well-being, supporting its potential as a feasible, engaging, and low-risk adjunct to standard therapy. Larger randomized trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results.