The taste of Parkinson's: How food choices reflect nutritional health.

Declines in physical and cognitive functions are major challenges for aging populations. Although multidomain interventions can help, maintaining long-term adherence remains difficult for many older adults. The World Health Organization healthy aging framework and the US National Academy of Medicine’s healthy longevity framework [,] indicate that effective strategies should target physical and cognitive health simultaneously rather than separately. Therefore, combining exercise with cognitive training is a recommended approach [,]. As neurodegenerative disorders become more prevalent, preventing functional decline is a priority [,]. However, purely physical or cognitive interventions often fail to maintain long-term engagement [,]. Previous studies have shown that multidomain interventions can promote healthy longevity; however, their benefits often diminish if participants do not continue the activities after the intervention ends [,]. Therefore, sustainable approaches to healthy aging must involve scientifically grounded, multifaceted strategies capable of maintaining participant engagement over the long term. The interactive nature of digital gaming offers distinct advantages over traditional training, particularly regarding immediate feedback and user engagement. This interactivity makes digital gaming a promising tool for improving adherence in older adults [] while also providing a feasible and relatively safe approach to support cognitive and physical activity []. There is recent evidence further suggesting that digital games may benefit cognitive performance and motor-related outcomes in older adults, particularly when the interventions are structured and appropriately tailored []. Research by Ding et al [] and Zhang et al [] has shown that digital versions of games such as mahjong can improve cognitive function, support mental health, and reduce cognitive decline in older adults. Mahjong, a traditional Chinese tile-based game, requires players to perform coordinated visual, mental, and cognitive tasks to achieve winning combinations. Studies indicate that both traditional and digital forms of mahjong can positively impact early-stage dementia in older adults [].