Most cited article - PubMed ID 27672317
Use of the Internet as a prevention tool against cognitive decline in normal aging
In response to the mass adoption and extensive usage of Internet-enabled devices across the world, a major review published in this journal in 2019 examined the impact of Internet on human cognition, discussing the concepts and ideas behind the "online brain". Since then, the online world has become further entwined with the fabric of society, and the extent to which we use such technologies has continued to grow. Furthermore, the research evidence on the ways in which Internet usage affects the human mind has advanced considerably. In this paper, we sought to draw upon the latest data from large-scale epidemiological studies and systematic reviews, along with randomized controlled trials and qualitative research recently emerging on this topic, in order to now provide a multi-dimensional overview of the impacts of Internet usage across psychological, cognitive and societal outcomes. Within this, we detail the empirical evidence on how effects differ according to various factors such as age, gender, and usage types. We also draw from new research examining more experiential aspects of individuals' online lives, to understand how the specifics of their interactions with the Internet, and the impact on their lifestyle, determine the benefits or drawbacks of online time. Additionally, we explore how the nascent but intriguing areas of culturomics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality are changing our understanding of how the Internet can interact with brain and behavior. Overall, the importance of taking an individualized and multi-dimensional approach to how the Internet affects mental health, cognition and social functioning is clear. Furthermore, we emphasize the need for guidelines, policies and initiatives around Internet usage to make full use of the evidence available from neuroscientific, behavioral and societal levels of research presented herein.
- Keywords
- Internet, addiction, artificial intelligence, attention, cognition, culturomics, memory, mental well‐being, social functioning, social media,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
This current study was sought to explore how older adults' adaptation of information and communication technology (ICT) devices was associated with their preference for e-Health services. A total of 224 Czech older adults aged 60+ were analyzed for the study. The sample comprised 21% male and 79% female. A self-reported survey questionnaire was employed to assess the prevalence of the use of ICT devices and the Internet and general preference for e-Health services. A series of t-tests were performed between and within two groups divided into e-Health supporters and non-supporters. The results indicated that nearly half of the respondents preferred to use the Internet for searching for health-related information. We found that older adults' use of ICT devices and educational level was significantly associated with the selection of the e-Health services. However, gender, household type, and the place for a residence did not count additional variance for the preferred e-Health services. For those who express willingness to receive the e-Health service, the preferred e-Health services should be implemented across relevant health domains. To do so, health professionals ought to provide the necessary equipment and educational programs that help older adults better access and adapt to e-Health services.
- Keywords
- attitude, e-Health, health service, information and communication technology (ICT), older adults,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Present demographic changes demonstrate that the number of elderly people is growing at a frenetic pace. This shift in population consequently results in many social and economic problems, which burden the social and economic systems of countries. The aging process is associated with age-related diseases, the most common of which are dementia and Alzheimer's disease, whose main symptom is a decline in cognitive function, especially memory loss. Unfortunately, it cannot be cured. Therefore, alternative approaches, which are cost-effective, safe, and easy to implement, are being sought in order to delay and prevent cognitive impairment. The purpose of this review was to explore the effect of multidomain lifestyle intervention strategies on the delay and/or prevention of cognitive impairment in healthy older individuals. The methods are based on a literature review of available sources found on the research topic in three acknowledged databases: Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. The results of the identified original studies reveal that multidomain lifestyle interventions generate significant effects. In addition, these interventions seem feasible, cost-effective, and engaging. Thus, there is a call for the implementation of effective lifestyle prevention programs, which would involve goal-setting and would focus on the prevention of crucial risk factors threatening the target group of elderly people, who are at risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
- Keywords
- cognitive impairment, elderly people, lifestyle strategies, multidomain intervention, randomized clinical trials,
- MeSH
- Exercise * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Healthy Aging * MeSH
- Life Style * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the selected non-pharmacological lifestyle activities on the delay of cognitive decline in normal aging. This was done by conducting a literature review in the four acknowledged databases Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, and Springer, and consequently by evaluating the findings of the relevant studies. The findings show that physical activities, such as walking and aerobic exercises, music therapy, adherence to Mediterranean diet, or solving crosswords, seem to be very promising lifestyle intervention tools. The results indicate that non-pharmacological lifestyle intervention activities should be intense and possibly done simultaneously in order to be effective in the prevention of cognitive decline. In addition, more longitudinal randomized controlled trials are needed in order to discover the most effective types and the duration of these intervention activities in the prevention of cognitive decline, typical of aging population groups.
- Keywords
- benefits, cognitive impairment, healthy older individuals, intervention,
- MeSH
- Walking MeSH
- Exercise physiology MeSH
- Cognitive Dysfunction prevention & control MeSH
- Cognition Disorders prevention & control MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Aging physiology MeSH
- Life Style * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH