JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

While the positive effects of digital technology on cognitive function are established, the specific impacts of different technology activities on distinct cognitive domains remain underexplored.

Objective:

This study aimed to examine the associations between transitions in and out of various technology activities and cognitive domain trajectories among community-dwelling older adults without dementia.

Methods:

Data were drawn from 5,566 community-dwelling older adults without dementia who participated in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) from 2015 to 2022. Technology activities assessed included online shopping, banking, medication refills, social media use, and checking health conditions online. The cognitive domains measured were episodic memory, executive function, and orientation. Asymmetric effect models were used to analyze the associations between technology activity transitions and cognitive outcomes, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related covariates.

Results:

The onset of online shopping (β = 0.046**), medication refills (β = 0.073**), and social media (β = 0.065**) were associated with improved episodic memory. In contrast, the cessation of online banking (β = -0.078**) and social media use (β = -0.066**) were associated with decreased episodic memory. The initiation of instrumental, social, and health-related technology activities mitigated cognitive decline in orientation. The onset of online shopping mitigated episodic memory decline (β=0.014*); the cessation of online shopping and social media exacerbated such decline (β = -0.023*; β = -0.022*).

Conclusions:

The results suggest that engaging in various technology activities supports cognitive health in older adults. Future interventions should focus on promoting the initiation and sustainment of these activities to help mitigate cognitive decline in aging populations.