„Bridge to the People” Foundation ( real non-profit ) has been established to organise and run scientific research on how playing bridge can prevent dementia and social isolation in people over 60. The results of the pilot research can be found on our web page
www.bridgetothepeople.eu
It shows that :
– depression level from almost pathological levels to normal
– Well-being grows significantly
– cognitive ability grows
All results are both clinically and statistically significant. Scientists from Nicolaus Copernicus University have done
research (gerontologists, education and physiology of sports specialists).
At the same time, we run bridge courses for patients at the Alzheimer's Centre in Warsaw. During the first year of study, we
found that those who play simplified bridge ( without bidding) lose their cognitive abilities more than two and a half times
slower than others. The second year gave even more exciting results. Half of the „students” didn't stop their disease's devastating process, while in the other half, the progression of AD almost stopped.
Bridge is now a regular part of their therapy. The Foundation, together with the Latvian Bridge Federation, received a grant from Erasmus+ to teach bridge at Nursing
Homes (including Alzheimer centres) and conduct the same research as on the pilot stage.
We hope to include more countries in the main project, as outlined above, which is scheduled to start early in 2026.
Scientists from the Gdańsk University of Technology (Biomedical Engineering Dept.) made brain scans with EEG
during various mental activities of seniors. They played chess, bridge, read a book, and stayed relaxed. The results were in
favour of bridge, but are inconclusive due to a small group of seniors being tested.
Fundamental research with EEG requires a much bigger budget than we have.
Upon entering the playing area, you can see a photo from this research on a roll-up ( picturing the author of the study).
