Cognitive impacts of learning and using digital technology in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Authors

Shenghao Zhang, Dorota Kossowska-Kuhn, Gillian Gouveia

Published in

Psychology and aging. Sep 14, 2026. Epub Sep 14, 2026.

Abstract

A recent meta-analysis of cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies has shown strong evidence that digital technology exposure is associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults. Given the observational nature of the reviewed studies, it is unclear whether the observed associations reflect causal effects. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the causal relation between technology exposure and cognition in middle-aged and older adults. We conducted a search in APA PsycInfo, PubMed, Web of Science, and Dissertation and Thesis (Global). Studies were included if they were experimental studies examining cognitive benefits of digital exposure against one or more control group(s) in middle-aged and older adults (over age 50). Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 12 provided sufficient data to calculate effect sizes. All included studies focused on older adults (over age 60). Results of the random-effects models showed that providing digital technologies or digital technology training to older adults benefits their cognition (g = 0.11, 95% CI [0.03, 0.19]) compared with control conditions. These results suggest that digital exposure leads to cognitive benefits. However, the evidence is preliminary because the magnitude of the effect is small with substantial heterogeneity (95% Prediction interval [-0.31, 0.53]), and the underlying mechanism is unclear. Therefore, the practical implications of relying on digital exposure to prevent cognitive decline in the absence of structured programs or targeted interventions are limited. Future research needs to include granular, objectively quantified use metrics and incorporate psychosocial mediators to uncover the underlying mechanism of the observed benefit. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:
42734971
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Sep 2026.

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