USING your phone could slash your risk of cognitive decline by 58 per cent, scientists say – dispelling fears that the devices are causing ‘digital dementia’.
It’s often assumed that being glued to screens is harming our brain health, driving ‘brain rot’ and worsening cognitive abilities.
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But a new study by neuroscientists at Baylor University and the University of Texas suggests the opposite – showing that people over 50 who regularly used their smartphones, tablets and other digital devices had lower rates of cognitive decline than those who used them less.
Dr Michael Scullin, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor, said: “You can flip on the news on just about any day and you’ll see people talking about how technologies are harming us.
“People often use the terms ‘brain drain’ and ‘brain rot,’ and now digital dementia is an emerging phrase.
“As researchers, we wanted to know if this was true.”
Researchers found that digital technology can promote behaviours that preserve brain function – with the study showing phone use was linked to a 58 per cent lower risk of cognitive impairment.
However, the study authors warned that using devices passively in the way we would a television likely won’t benefit our brains.
Engaging with and feeling challenged by the content of our devices is key, they said, as it allows you to “exercise your brain”.
The study – published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour – analysed 57 published studies that examined the use of digital technology in 411,430 adults around the world.
The average age was 69 years old and all had a cognitive test or diagnosis.
Dr Scullin acknowledged that the study’s findings would be surprising to some, as technology use is often associated with being physically and mentally lazy.
But he explained that older adults will have been introduced technological advancements such as computers, the Internet and smartphones past their childhood.
As a result, using technology is cognitively challenging for them – especially because the landscape is always changing.
Dr Scullin said: “One of the first things that middle-age and older adults were saying is that ‘I’m so frustrated by this computer. This is hard to learn.’
“That’s actually a reflection of the cognitive challenge, which may be beneficial for the brain even if it doesn’t feel great in the moment.”
Technology requires constant adaption, he said, such as understanding new software updates, troubleshooting Internet loss or filtering out website ads.
“If you’re doing that for years and you’re really engaging with it, even though you might experience frustration, that may be a sign of you exercising your brain,” he said.
Technology also allows people to stay connected.
Video calls, emails and messaging apps can all help maintain social networks, which previous studies have suggested can benefit brain health.
What are the early symptoms of cognitive decline?
WE all notice a natural decline in memory and thinking as we age.
This will be more pronounced in some people, as they experience memory and thinking problems that are mild but still noticeable.
This is described as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Unlike dementia sufferers, people with MCI can still get on with day-to-day life.
Research suggests that two out of 10 people over the age
of 65 have MCI, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
About one in 10 people who’ve received an MCI diagnosis will go on to develop dementia.
Symptoms of MCI include:
Memory – Misplacing items or having trouble
remembering recent conversations.
- Attention problems – finding it difficult to concentrate,
e.g. while watching a TV programme or carrying out
duties at work - Disorientation – confusion about time, date or place
- Thinking skills – problems with planning or completing
tasks, e.g. managing money, or cooking a meal - Problems with communication and finding the right words
- Mood and behaviour changes – becoming irritable, anxious,
or feeling low
These symptoms may affect someone with MCI all the
time, or they might come and go.
There are steps we can take to keep our brains as healthy as possible. These include:
- Not smoking
- Doing regular physical activity
- Staying mentally and socially active
- Eating a healthy balanced diet
- Limiting the amount of alcohol we drink
- Having your hearing checked regularly
- Keeping blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
levels in check
Finally, phones and other devices may act as a helping hand to people struggling with the first signs of dementia and allow people to compensate for cognitive decline.
Dementia can see people begin to lose independence and struggle with daily tasks.
But tools such as digital reminders, GPS navigation and online banking may allow older adults to remain independent despite cognitive difficulties, researchers said.
Technology can serve as a support system to maintain independence and reduce the risk of a dementia diagnosis even if people have some cognitive decline, they claimed.
Use wisely
But researchers said the benefits of smartphones on brain ageing may depend on how they were used.
Dr Scullin told The Guardian: “Using digital devices in the way that we use televisions – passive and sedentary, both physically and mentally – is not likely to be beneficial.
“But, our computers and smartphones also can be mentally stimulating, afford social connections, and provide compensation for cognitive abilities that are declining with ageing.
“These latter types of uses have long been regarded as beneficial for cognitive ageing.”
The author suggested that encouraging older adults to use digital devices may boost their cognitive health.
“If you have a parent or grandparent who’s just staying away from technology, maybe revisit that,” he said.
“Could they learn to use photo, messaging, or calendar apps on a smartphone or tablet? Start simple and be very patient while they learn.”
Sam Gilbert, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London, told The Guardian that the study showed “a clear link” between digital technology usage and preserved cognitive ability in older age.
“The explanation for this link is still not fully clear: we cannot be sure whether technology usage itself preserves cognitive ability, whether preserved cognitive ability leads to more frequent use of technology, or – most likely – some combination of the two.
“Nevertheless, this work challenges alarmist ideas about so-called ‘digital dementia’ and instead suggests that using digital technology can be good for brain health.”