Date Presented 04/21/2023
This study found that internet and communication technology (ICT) use had a statistically significant effect on executive function of older adults over time.
Primary Author and Speaker: Hamin Lee
Additional Authors and Speakers: Sangmi Park, Seungho Han, Seyoung Park, Lee Hyeon Dong, Ickpyo Hong
Contributing Authors: Sangmi Park, Seungho Han, Seyoung Park, Lee Hyeon Dong, Ickpyo Hong
PURPOSE: Association of information and communication technology (ICT) use with health has been reported in previous studies. Despite of the ample studies on the association of ICT with cognitive health in older adults, evidence for the effect of ICT use on executive function is limited. This study aims to examine the effect of ICT use on executive function of older adults over time.
DESIGN: Secondary data analysis using four waves (2016–2019) of the National Health and Aging Trends Study was conducted. Community-dwelling respondents aged 65 or older without dementia were included. Data with missing values in ICT use or executive function scores were excluded.
METHOD: ICT use was measured with six items asking use of ICT such as internet, computer and email. Executive function was measured with Clock Drawing Test score. Depression was measured with four items asking experience of feeling down, anxious, hopeless and worried. Fixed effect model analysis was conducted to examine the effects of the ICT use on executive function over time after controlling for time-varying covariate of depression. SAS version 9.4 and Mplus version 8.0 were used. Result: Data from 3,334 older adults (female: 56%, 65-74: 43.94%, 75-84: 42.92%, 85-: 13.14%) were used for final analysis. Goodness of fit of the model was good(X2(df) = 47.58(27). p < .05, RMSEA = .015, CFI =.992, SRMR = .013). The effect of ICT use on executive function over time were statistically significant (standardized β = .043–.045, 95% CI = .001 to .043, p<.05).
CONCLUSION: ICT use of older adults showed positive effect on executive function. Results suggest that interventions for ICT use for older adults could protect their executive function over time. This study found that the use of ICT affects executive function, which is an essential factor for independent life of older adults. Interventions for ICT use could help community-dwelling older adult to achieve aging in place, and independence in their life.
References
Choi, E. Y., Wisniewski, K. M., & Zelinski, E. M. (2021). Information and communication technology use in older adults: A unidirectional or bi-directional association with cognitive function?. Computers in Human Behavior, 121, 106813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106813
Choi, N. G., & DiNitto, D. M. (2013). Internet use among older adults: Association with health needs, psychological capital, and social capital. Journal of medical Internet research, 15(5), e97. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2333
