Attitudes Toward Computers Moderate the Effect of Computerized Cognitive Trainings in Oldest-Old Senior Living Center Residents

•What is the primary question addressed by this study? We sought to examine whether a computerized platform involving games and leisure activities would improve older persons’ attitudes toward computers, thereby enhancing the efficacy of a later computerized cognitive intervention.•What is the main...

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Published in:The American journal of geriatric psychiatry Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 285 - 294
Main Authors: Lin, Feng Vankee, Cottone, Kaylin, Mcdermott, Kelsey, Jacobs, Alanna, Nelson, Dallas, Porsteinsson, Anton, Chapman, Benjamin P.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Elsevier Inc 01-03-2021
Elsevier Limited
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Summary:•What is the primary question addressed by this study? We sought to examine whether a computerized platform involving games and leisure activities would improve older persons’ attitudes toward computers, thereby enhancing the efficacy of a later computerized cognitive intervention.•What is the main finding of this study? There was little evidence that the games and leisure platform successfully engaged older persons and improved their attitudes toward computers. However, among those whose attitudes toward computers did improve—whether via the leisure platform or otherwise—the computerized cognitive intervention showed stronger effects on executive function.•What is the meaning of the finding? Older people who develop more favorable impressions of computers when exposed to them tend to show greater improvement in executive function from a computerized cognitive intervention. Computerized cognitive interventions (CCIs) have been increasingly implemented among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, older individuals’ attitudes toward technology may limit CCI engagement. This exploratory-developmental study examined whether a “multi-functional interactive computer system” (MICS), which provides pleasurable activities via computer, would improve attitudes toward computers and in turn increase the efficacy of a subsequent CCI. A phase one double-blind trial randomized 49 seniors with MCI to a MICS + CCI condition or a CCI-only condition. Attitudes toward technology use was assessed using The Attitudes Toward Computers Questionnaire (ATCQ), and cognition was assessed using episodic memory and executive function composite scores at baseline, the ends of MICS and CCI phases, and 3-month follow-up. The MICS + CCI group did not show significantly greater improvement in cognition than the CCI only group. Secondary analyses indicated that improvement in executive function from baseline occurred in both groups. Participants who did show improved attitudes toward computers, whether through MICS or simply computer exposure itself, showed improvement in executive function. Participants in the MICS + CCI group used MICS less than expected. A more structured and supervised approach may be needed to facilitate MICS exposure. Improved attitudes toward computers regardless of MICS exposure may benefit candidates for CCI.
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Lin provided initial drafting of manuscript, analyses, interpretation, critical revisions; Chapman initial drafting, interpretation and critical revisions; Cottone, McDermott, Jacobs, collection and analysis of data; Nelson and Porsteinsson provided critical input during drafting and revision.
ISSN:1064-7481
1545-7214
DOI:10.1016/j.jagp.2020.07.001