Computer use and cognitive decline among Japanese older adults: A prospective cohort study

This study aimed to examine the prospective association between computer use and cognitive decline among community-dwelling Japanese older adults, considering the characteristics of computer users.

This four-year prospective cohort study was conducted in Obu, Japan. Participants who were cognitive intact at Wave 1 (2011-2012) were followed through the study period. Cognitive decline was defined as scoring below the standard threshold in at least one of four neuropsychological tests at Wave 2 (2015-2016). The association between computer use at Wave 1 and cognitive decline was examined using logistic regression for complete samples (n = 2010, 52.5% female, mean 71.0 ± 4.7 years) and imputed samples (n = 3435, 51.8% female, mean 71.5 ± 5.3 years).

The computer use group had a reduced adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of cognitive decline, after adjustment for covariates, in both the complete and imputed samples (complete samples: aOR 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.97, p = 0.030; imputed samples: aOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.51-0.88, p < 0.003). Stratified analysis of both samples showed that computer users with ≥ 10 years' education, a GDS score of < 6, or a walking speed of ≥ 1.0m/s, showed reduced aOR for cognitive decline (aOR 0.61 to 0.69, p < 0.05). Those with < 10 years of education years, GDS scores ≥ 6 of GDS, or walking speed < 1.0m/s did not show significant association.

Computer use is longitudinally associated with protected cognitive function, based on computer user characteristics.