Meaningful use of computers has a potential therapeutic and preventative role in dementia care: A systematic review

Liapis, Jimmy; Harding, Katherine E

doi:10.1111/ajag.12446

Cited by 18 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 39 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our finding is consistent with a study using the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) cohort which showed that internet users had better cognitive performance measured by delayed recall compared with internet nonusers [13]. Other results of a protective association between internet use and cognitive function were also reported in other developed countries [12-16]. Although the exact mechanism is not clear, a potential theoretical pathway may be that internet access imparted a reserve against the expression of cognitive impairment [10,26,27].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…A growing number of epidemiologic studies have clearly suggested that digital devices, like internet-based instruments, can provide a platform of cognitively stimulating activities which might help to slow the path of cognitive decline in the process of normal aging [10-12]. Longitudinal studies and meta-analyses in developed countries have shown that the use of the internet can be a protective factor for cognitive decline among the older population [13-16]. In the context of China, there has been a marked increase in internet access among mid-aged and elderly populations [17], although the national data on internet use is limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of Digital Device Ownership on Cognitive Decline in a Middle-Aged and Elderly Population: Longitudinal Observational Study

Jin¹,

Jing²,

Ma³

2019

J Med Internet Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Cognitive decline is a major risk factor for disability and death and may serve as a precursor of dementia. Digital devices can provide a platform of cognitively stimulating activities which might help to slow cognitive decline during the process of normal aging. Objective This longitudinal study aimed to examine the independent protective factors of desktop and cellphone ownership against cognitive decline in mid-life and older adulthood and to examine the combined effect of desktop and cellphone ownership on the same outcome. Methods Data was obtained from a China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Studies (CHARLS) cohort made up of 13,457 community-dwelling adults aged 45 years or above in 2011-2012. They were followed for 4 years, with baseline measurements taken as well as 2 two-year follow-up visits. Cognitive function was tested during the baseline test and follow-up visits. A global cognition z-score was calculated based on two domains: word recall and mental intactness. The key independent variables were defined as: whether one had desktops with internet connection at home and whether one had a cellphone. An additional categorical variable of three values was constructed as: 0 (no desktop or cellphone), 1 (desktop or cellphone alone), and 2 (desktop and cellphone both). Mixed-effects regression was adjusted for demographic and health behavior as well as health condition risk factors. Results Adjusted for demographic and health behavior as well as health condition risk factors, desktop and cellphone ownership were independently associated with subsequent decreased cognitive decline over the four-year period. Participants without a desktop at home had an adjusted cognitive decline of –0.16 standard deviations (95% CI –0.18 to –0.15), while participants with a desktop at home had an adjusted cognitive decline of –0.10 standard deviations (95% CI –0.14 to –0.07; difference of –0.06 standard deviations; P=.003). A similar pattern of significantly protective association of 0.06 standard deviations (95% CI 0.03-0.10; P<.001) between cellphone ownership and cognitive function was observed over the four-year period. Additionally, a larger longitudinal protective association on cognitive decline was observed among those with both of the digital devices, although the 95% CIs for the coefficients overlapped with those with a single digital device alone. Conclusions Findings from this study underscored the importance of digital devices as platforms for cognitively stimulating activities to delay cognitive decline. Future studies focusing on use of digital devices are warranted to investigate their longitudinal protective factors against cognitive decline at mid- and later life.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Digital Device Ownership on Cognitive Decline in a Middle-Aged and Elderly Population: Longitudinal Observational Study

Jin¹,

Jing²,

Ma³

2019

J Med Internet Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There is also a mounting evidence that the use of ICT may also have a preventive influence on the development or progression of dementia in the elderly population [42,43,44]. As the elderly constitute the major part of the population suffering disabilities, such findings may be a further argument for supporting the use of computer and the Internet by the elderly.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Association of Internet Use with Wellbeing, Mental Health and Health Behaviours of Persons with Disabilities

Duplaga

Szulc

2019

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: There is strong evidence that people with disabilities suffer from a significant digital divide. However, there are reports indicating that Internet use may result in many benefits for those with disabilities. The aim of the study was to assess the impact that the use of the Internet has on the wellbeing and health behaviours of persons with disabilities. Methods: An analysis was carried out using the dataset obtained from Social Diagnosis, a panel study undertaken on a nationally representative sample. The records of persons with disabilities were retrieved from the dataset which was established in 2015. An analysis of the association between Internet use and the wellbeing, mental health and health behaviours of the respondents was undertaken. The variables reflecting the self-assessment of their own life and experience of loneliness were treated as being indicators of their wellbeing and the prevalence of suicidal thoughts or making use of psychological help as indicators of mental health. The health behaviours analysed in the study included smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol and undertaking physical activity. For all these variables, multivariate logistic regression models were developed. The effect of Internet use was adjusted for sociodemographic variables and the degree of disability. An analysis was performed after applying post-stratification weights available from the Social Diagnosis study. Results: The weighted study group consisted of 2529 people having a mean age of 59.33 ± 16.89 years. The group included 20.71% (N = 524) respondents with a mild, 41.58% (N = 1052) with a moderate, and 26.54% (N = 671) with a severe disability. The proportion of Internet users was 37.07% (N = 937). In all the regression models, Internet use had a significant impact on the dependent variables. After adjustment for sociodemographic variables and the degree of disability, the Internet users more frequently assessed their lives as happy (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.86, 1.47–2.37) and less frequently experienced loneliness (0.63, 0.49–0.81) or suicidal thoughts (0.47, 0.35–0.65). In addition, they needed psychological help less frequently (0.50, 0.35–0.72). Interestingly, Internet users undertook some form of physical activity or sport more often (2.41, 1.87–3.13) and fewer smoked cigarettes (0.70, 0.54–0.91) or consumed alcohol excessively (0.32, 0.19–0.56). Conclusions: The use of the Internet by people with disabilities was associated with improved wellbeing, better mental health and more beneficial health behaviours. These findings support the development of intensive actions to reduce the digital divide for the population of people with disabilities.

show abstract

“…Participants were categorized into these age groups as these groupings allowed within-group variation to be minimized. Prior to 3D-MOT training, participants in the 74…”

Section: Agementioning

confidence: 99%

“…A final limitation in this study is the lack of an active control. Current research demonstrates that older adults who spend regular and meaningful time on the computer have a lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia [74]. Though the mechanism behind this is currently unknown, researchers Krell-Roesch and colleagues [47] attribute computer use with an increased demand for specific technical and manual skills which may have a protective effect against cognitive decline.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

3-Dimensional Multiple Object Tracking Training Can Enhance Selective Attention, Psychomotor Speed, and Cognitive Flexibility in Healthy Older Adults

2019

Ageing Sci Ment Health Stud

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: The objective of this pilot study was to determine if a 3-dimensional multiple object tracking training (3D-MOT) intervention could improve performance on measures of attention, psychomotor speed, and cognitive flexibility in healthy older adults. Methods: Forty-six individuals aged 63-87 years old participated in the study. Twenty-five participants in the intervention group completed the Stroop task before and after intervention that consisted of seven training sessions with the Neurotracker, a 3D-MOT software program. Stroop test scores were examined for changes in selective attention, cognitive flexibility (CF), as well as psychomotor speed pre-and post-intervention. The 21 individuals in the control group completed the Stroop test at the pre-post interval, without completing the Neurotracker intervention. Results: The Neurotracker training intervention group showed significant improvements in both cognitive flexibility (M = 5.01, SE = 1.44, p = 0.002), and psychomotor speed and selective attention (M = 4.90, SE = 1.44, p = 0.002). Significant changes were also detected in a condition that measured psychomotor speed and cognitive flexibility together (M = 9.39, SE = 1.74, p < 0.001). No significant changes were detected in the control group. Conclusion: The current results suggest that the Neurotracker may be an effective tool for improving selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and psychomotor speed in healthy older individuals.

show abstract

Meaningful use of computers has a potential therapeutic and preventative role in dementia care: A systematic review

Abstract: Early findings are promising, but more rigorous studies are required to examine the nature of the relationship between computer use and dementia risk, and the potential of computer activities to improve outcomes for people experiencing cognitive decline.

Cited by 18 publications

References 39 publications

Effects of Digital Device Ownership on Cognitive Decline in a Middle-Aged and Elderly Population: Longitudinal Observational Study

Effects of Digital Device Ownership on Cognitive Decline in a Middle-Aged and Elderly Population: Longitudinal Observational Study

The Association of Internet Use with Wellbeing, Mental Health and Health Behaviours of Persons with Disabilities

3-Dimensional Multiple Object Tracking Training Can Enhance Selective Attention, Psychomotor Speed, and Cognitive Flexibility in Healthy Older Adults

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About