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Cognitive Function and Digital Device Use in Older Adults Attending a Memory Clinic
Ya-Huei Wu1,2, Manon Lewis1,2, Anne-Sophie Rigaud1,2
1Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, France.
Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine
|May 14, 2019
Summary
Older adults using digital devices daily showed better cognitive function. Non-daily users had lower performance in memory and executive functions, suggesting a link between device use and cognitive health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Digital device use is increasingly prevalent across all age groups.
- Understanding the relationship between technology engagement and cognitive function in older adults is crucial.
- Memory clinics serve a population with potential cognitive concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between computer and touchscreen device usage frequency and cognitive function in older adults.
- To identify distinct user profiles based on digital device engagement.
- To explore differences in cognitive performance among these user profiles.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 323 older adults attending a memory clinic.
- Categorization of participants into four groups based on daily/non-daily use of computers and touchscreen devices.
- Assessment of global cognitive function, processing speed, short-term memory, and executive functions.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in age, education, and clinical diagnosis were observed across user groups.
- Daily users of both computers and touchscreen devices demonstrated significantly higher cognitive function compared to non-daily users.
- Non-daily digital device users exhibited lower performance in global cognition, processing speed, short-term memory, and executive functions.
Conclusions:
- Frequent engagement with digital devices, particularly both computers and touchscreens, is associated with better cognitive function in older adults.
- Lower frequency of digital device use may indicate or be associated with underlying cognitive deficits.
- Interventions promoting digital literacy in older adults could potentially support cognitive health.
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