Mobile Device Use and the Cognitive Function and Depressive Symptoms of Older Adults Living in Residential Care Homes

Overview

Journal BMC Geriatr

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2020 Feb 5

PMID 32013915

Citations 6

Authors

Lu Lin

Xiu-Chen Jing

Shu-Jiao Lv

Jing-Hong Liang

Li Tian

Hui-Ling Li

Martine Puts

Yong Xu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: With the fast-paced aging and increasing digitalization of society, there has been a growing interest in the effect of mobile device use on cognitive function and depression in older adults. However, research examining this issue among older adults in residential care homes (RCHs) is scant. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of mobile device use on the cognitive function and depressive symptoms of older adults living in RCHs.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).

Results: A total of 235 senior residents (aged 82.58 ± 5.54) in four RCHs were surveyed. Users of mobile devices had a significantly higher total MoCA score (25.02 ± 4.14) and a significantly lower GDS-15 score (3.28 ± 2.74) than non-users (MoCA: 19.34 ± 5.21, GDS-15: 4.69 ± 2.90). Multivariate linear regression indicate that mobile device use is significantly associated with total MoCA score, six of the seven sub-scores (visuospatial abilities and execution functions, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall, and orientation)(P < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that mobile device use was significantly associated with the level of depressive symptoms (OR = 0.458, 95%CI = 0.249-0.845).

Conclusions: Use of mobile devices has a significant association with the cognitive function and depressive symptoms of older adults living in RCHs, and thus should be encouraged as a measure to maintain and improve cognition and prevent depression.

Citing Articles

Association Between Subjective Memory Complaints in Daily Life and Smartphone Proficiency Among Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study.

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PMID: 39610606 PMC: 11602263. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72578.

Relationship Between Internet Use and Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Adults: 5-Year Longitudinal Study.

Chen B, Yang C, Ren S, Li P, Zhao J J Med Internet Res. 2024; 26:e57301.

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Mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between digital literacy and cognitive function in older adults.

Hong J, Nam Y, Hong S, Roh H Front Psychiatry. 2023; 14:1248347.

PMID: 37810594 PMC: 10551625. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1248347.

The contribution of the smartphone use to reducing depressive symptoms of Chinese older adults: The mediating effect of social participation.

Ji R, Chen W, Ding M Front Aging Neurosci. 2023; 15:1132871.

PMID: 37091518 PMC: 10117680. DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1132871.

Predictors of Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults by Age Group: Based on the 2017 National Survey of Older Korean Adults.

Kim J, Cha E Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(18).

PMID: 34574523 PMC: 8465712. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189600.

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