New study links technology use to key health benefit, experts say

The studies analyzed more than 411,000 adults with an average age of 69

A new study has shown that time spent on our devices may not be as harmful as previously thought, and may instead offer a huge benefit to our cognitive heallth

The study, published in the journal of Nature Human Behavior, conducted a systematic review of 57 studies to see whether exposure to technology has helped or harmed cognition among the first generation of adults with prolonged exposure to digital devices, like smartphones, tablets and computers.

The studies analyzed more than 411,000 adults with an average age of 69, and found that engagement with digital technology was associated with a 58 percent reduced risk of cognitive impairment in people middle-aged and older.

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Technology could actually play a role in preserving brain function, not worsening it, according to co-authors Jared Benge, a clinical neuropsychologist at the University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Medical School, and Michael Scullin, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University.

The researchers wrote, “There was no credible evidence from the longitudinal studies, or the meta-analysis as a whole, for widespread digital ‘brain drain’ or ‘digital dementia’ as a result of general, natural uses of digital technology.”

According to the study, the challenge of using and adapting to the ever-evolving digital world may be providing stimulation that maintains brain function.

The study also suggested that technology can make social interaction easier for some individuals, tying in with improved cognitive function in older adults.

There are plenty of early signs and symptoms of cognitive decline and impairment. Mild cognitive impairment is an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease in almost 50 percent of all cases.

Symptoms of mild cognitive impairment include losing the ability to remember recent events and appointments, make sound decisions and master complex tasks.

Experts have recommended a number of different things that can help keep your brain functioning at its peak, as the years roll on. Some of these include learning a new skill or honing an existing one.

Experts also stress the importance of exercise, which is crucial for both heart and brain health, among other things.

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