Nat Hum Behav

Digital technology use tied to reduced cognitive decline in older adults

April 22, 2025

Study details: This meta-analysis examined the impact of digital technology use on cognitive aging. The study included 136 observational and cohort studies, encompassing 411,430 adults aged 50 and older, with a mean baseline age of 68.7 years and 53.5% female. The studies were sourced from multiple databases and focused on general digital technology use and cognitive or dementia outcomes.

Results: Digital technology use was associated with a 58% reduced risk of cognitive impairment (odds ratio, 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.52) and a 26% reduction in the rate of cognitive decline over time (hazard ratio, 0.74, 95% CI, 0.66-0.84). These effects remained significant after adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, health, and cognitive reserve factors. Findings were consistent even when analyses were limited to the highest-quality studies.

Clinical impact: Encouraging the use of digital technologies in older adults could be beneficial for cognitive health. The concept of "technological reserve" may play a role in preserving cognition, highlighting the importance of personalized recommendations for technology use to support cognitive aging.

Source:

Benge JF, Scullin MK. (2025, April 14). Nat Hum Behav. A meta-analysis of technology use and cognitive aging. Nat Hum Behav. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40229575/