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

Sarah Gerhardt, Stefanie Hoier, Alexandra Seeger, Roland Schmidt, Larissa Weber, Konstantin Mechler, Tobias Banaschewski, Alexander Häge, Sabine Vollstädt-Klein, Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Deutsche Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit , German Center for Mental Health, Partner Site Mannheim-Heidelberg-Ulm, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim Center for Translational Neurosciences , Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Published online on June 15, 2026

Abstract

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Ahead of Print.
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 ...