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Professional Baseball Victories and Dementia Symptoms in Older Adults: An Exploratory Study Among Hanshin Tigers Fans

Hiroyuki Hatsuta1

  • 1Hatsuta Neurology Clinic, Hirakata-shi, Osaka, Japan.

Geriatrics & Gerontology International
|May 11, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Watching the Hanshin Tigers win the championship significantly reduced behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Japanese fans. This suggests sports events can positively impact dementia care.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Neuroscience
  • Sports Psychology

Background:

  • Dementia presents significant challenges, including behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
  • Effective interventions for BPSD are crucial for improving patient quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the relationship between professional baseball outcomes and changes in BPSD among dementia patients.
  • To investigate the impact of emotionally meaningful sports events on dementia symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 855 dementia patients in Japan.
  • Analysis of BPSD scores in relation to the Hanshin Tigers' 2023 championship win.
  • Subcategory analysis of specific BPSD changes.

Main Results:

  • 19 Hanshin Tigers fans showed significant reductions in BPSD scores post-championship.
  • Decreases observed in offensive language, apathy, agitation, day-night reversal, and depressive mood.
  • Preliminary evidence links emotionally salient sports events to BPSD improvement.

Conclusions:

  • Emotionally invested sports spectating may positively influence BPSD in dementia patients.
  • High-salience sports events show potential as a non-pharmacological intervention in dementia care.
  • Further prospective research is warranted to confirm these findings.

Keywords:
behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)dementiaprofessional sportswatching sports

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