A meta-analysis of studies involving more than 400 older adults found that smartphone, computer and internet use was associated with slower rates of cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia. Researchers believe that using such technologies stimulates brain activity in older age and promotes greater independence. However, future studies will help to better understand this relationship and identify the activities that have the greatest positive effects on the brain. Research published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.
The researchers studied the impact of technology on the first generation to interact with it, people aged 50 and over. The sample included 57 articles, most of which were from studies in Europe and North America, although some included data from other parts of the world. The researchers deliberately excluded articles that described the effects of games or tasks to train mental abilities in order to assess the impact of everyday use of smartphones, computers and the Internet. As it turned out, the use of technology by older people reduced their risk of cognitive decline, including dementia, by more than half.
The researchers say that the likely reason for this is that using a smartphone or computer is a better exercise for mental abilities than other activities for older people, such as watching TV. In addition, the Internet can be a way to connect with other people, while an active social life is important for maintaining brain health. Finally, the use of technology can help older people better cope with the symptoms of dementia, in particular, the navigation built into smartphones can help in case of deterioration in the ability to navigate.
The research took into account people's own testimonies about their technology use, so in the future, scientists plan to measure screen time to find out the most beneficial activities for brain health. This will help to slow down the decline of mental abilities in older age without excessive costs.
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