Systematic review and meta-analysis of digital technology interventions for cognitive function and mood in older adults

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the impact of digital technology interventions on cognitive function, depression, anxiety, and loneliness in older adults. The authors synthesized data from a total sample size of 1947 participants to evaluate these outcomes. The study was not an RCT but rather a meta-analysis of existing studies.

The analysis reported significant improvements in cognitive function with a standardized mean difference of 1.04 and a 95% CI of 0.69 to 1.38. The p-value for this outcome was less than 0.001. For depression, significant reductions were observed with an SMD of -0.32 and a 95% CI of -0.51 to 0.14, also with a p-value less than 0.001.

Significant reductions in anxiety were found with an SMD of -0.66 and a 95% CI of -0.90 to -0.43, with a p-value less than 0.001. In contrast, no significant difference was found for loneliness, with an SMD of -0.52 and a 95% CI of -1.05 to 0.00. The p-value for loneliness was 0.05.

Safety data, including adverse events and discontinuations, were not reported. The authors state that low-certainty evidence suggests digital technology interventions may benefit older adults. They conclude that more high-quality studies are needed to further verify the effect of these interventions.