That’s why a recent study directed by Michael K. Scullin, PhD, has some pretty thrilling findings. It finds that older adults have a significantly lower risk of cognitive impairment if they use digital technology. And new research, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, indicates that these can be effective. Seniors who regularly use digital technology have a 58% reduced risk of cognitive decline. Our study examined data from over 400,000 participants. Perhaps most promising were the insights uncovered around how technology, in general, can act as a safeguard against dementia.
“It’s important to note that the data didn’t go in the opposite direction,” – Michael K. Scullin, PhD.
These findings further underscore how important lifestyle habits are in reducing dementia risk. Activities including mental stimulation and social connectivity, frequently enabled by digital technologies, play a crucial role in this endeavor. Loneliness and social isolation have both been associated with negative cognitive outcomes among older adults.
Gary Small, MD, chair of psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center, who was instrumental in the study. Using functional MRI scanning, Wong evaluated patterns of brain activity in older adults as they conducted simulated online searches. His discoveries showed that even only seven days of online search coaching substantially improved neural stimulation. This was the case for the brain areas involved in critical thinking and memory.
“Moreover, we rescanned the naïve Internet users after a week of online search training and found significant increases in neural stimulation in brain regions controlling thinking and memory,” – Gary Small, MD.
Not surprisingly, Small elaborates on the known broader implications of these critical findings. Mason points out that digital technology offers equally important mental stimulation and keeps older adults socially connected. This link to the digital world can help increase access to important health information and encourage greater independence.
“In addition to the mental stimulation from online searching, use of these technologies keeps older adults socially connected, gives them access to important health education information, and helps them to remain independent,” – Gary Small, MD.
Age is the most significant risk factor for developing this debilitating condition. It has played a major role in, as he calls it, an epidemic of late life dementia.
“Life expectancy has increased dramatically, so people are living longer than ever before in history,” – Gary Small, MD.
The introduction of home computing, the Internet, and most recently smartphones has changed everyday life dramatically. In fact, people now spend on average two hours and 24 minutes a day on social media. This transition toward more persistent and immersive digital engagement opens new doors for more powerful forms of cognitive engagement.
As noted by Scullin, getting up to speed on these new technologies can be difficult, but worthwhile for protecting cognitive health. He claims that this process serves as a kind of ‘brain workout,’ strengthening neural connections.
“Learning to use a computer, navigate the Internet, and use a smartphone can all be experienced as challenging, but that’s a good sign for ‘exercising your brain’,” – Michael K. Scullin, PhD.
The study’s findings indicate that only 10% of the reviewed studies showed ‘null’ outcomes regarding digital technology use and dementia risk. This only bolsters the argument that actively using technology is on balance a good thing for one’s cognitive health.
“The collective data indicate that, amongst ‘digital pioneers’ who first adopted digital technologies in middle or older adulthood, using these devices is associated with a net positive outcome for overall cognitive health,” – Michael K. Scullin, PhD.
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