Work

A community-based intervention using a board game to improve traffic safety behaviors among older adults: a quasi-experimental study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Older adults are at increased risk of traffic-related injuries due to age-related declines in physical and perceptual functions. Conventional traffic safety education often lacks interactivity and may have limited effectiveness in promoting sustained behavioral change. However, evidence regarding the use of board game-based approaches in traffic safety education for older adults remains limited. METHODS: This study developed a traffic safety education board game and evaluated its effects on traffic safety knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors among community-dwelling older adults. A two-group quasi-experimental design was employed, with participants assigned to an intervention group (n = 53) and a control group (n = 51). The intervention group participated in a four-week board game program, while the control group received standard informational materials. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 12-week follow-up. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to examine group-by-time effects after adjusting for previous traffic accident experience. RESULTS: After adjusting for previous traffic accident experience, the GEE analyses showed significant group-by-time interactions for traffic safety knowledge and self-reported traffic safety behaviors. No significant group-by-time interaction was observed for traffic safety attitudes. These findings indicate that changes in traffic safety knowledge and self-reported behavioral outcomes over time differed between the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Board game-based traffic safety education may represent a promising but preliminary community-based approach for improving traffic safety knowledge and self-reported traffic safety behaviors among older adults. However, because this study used a quasi-experimental design and a non-attention-matched control condition, the findings should be interpreted cautiously.

Source: BMC Geriatrics

DOI: 10.1186/s12877-026-07843-7

Authors: Shiowjinq Yao, Jia-Rong Jung, Yung-Shen Huang, Shih-Yeh Chen, Chia-Shan Wu

Institutions: Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, National Chiayi University, National Cheng Kung University, National Tainan Institute of Nursing

Language: English

Topic: Traffic and Road Safety

Subfield: Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190