Reacción a "The use of technology can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in people over 50"

The press release appropriately reflects the main findings of the study, the use of digital technologies, such as the internet, computers and smartphones, is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia diagnosis in adults over 50 years of age. Furthermore, it highlights that these benefits are not explained solely by demographic, socioeconomic or health factors, which supports the hypothesis of a protective effect of technology on cognitive function.

The meta-analysis has a solid basis, integrating data from 57 studies involving more than 411,430 participants. It follows rigorous methodological criteria, such as the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews, and incorporates quality assessments using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) tool. The results show remarkable consistency by restricting analyses to the highest quality studies. We also controlled for relevant confounders such as age, education, health status and various proxies for cognitive reserve.

This work aligns with and extends previous evidence on cognitive reserve theory - not only traditional activities, such as reading or playing board games, but also the regular use of digital technologies, may contribute to preserving cognitive health in old age.

However, the study has some limitations. Although the total number of participants was high, the number of studies included in the moderation analyses limits the statistical power to detect moderating effects. In addition, being mostly based on observational studies, causality cannot be established. Many measures of digital exposure were based on self-reports and lacked information on the onset of use of technologies such as the internet or smartphones, which restricts the understanding of exposure patterns and their cognitive impact. Also some indicators of cognitive reserve, such as level of intelligence or acquisition of new skills, have been little explored. Finally, most of the studies were conducted in upper-middle-income countries, limiting the generalisability of the results to other contexts.

A particularly novel aspect of the meta-analysis is that it works with the so-called ‘digital pioneers’, the generation that led the global technological revolution and is now beginning to reach ages at which the risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases is increasing.

The practical implications of these findings are relevant. Encouraging access to and moderate use of digital technologies among older adults could be an effective strategy to prevent cognitive decline. The study also highlights the need to develop accessible and tailored digital literacy programmes for older adults, promoting a balanced use that maximises benefits and minimises risks. This meta-analysis provides robust evidence that technology, used appropriately, can be a powerful ally in promoting healthy cognitive ageing and preserving functional autonomy in old age.