Meltzer Jed A, Kates Rose Mira, Le Anna Y, Spencer Kiah A, Goldstein Leora, Gubanova Alina, Lai Abbie C, Yossofzai Maryam, Armstrong Sabrina E M, Bialystok Ellen
Baycrest Health Sciences, Rotman Research Institute, Toronto ON, Canada.
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada.
Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn. 2023 Mar;30(2):150-171. doi: 10.1080/13825585.2021.1991262. Epub 2021 Oct 25.
Bilingualism has been linked to improved executive function and delayed onset of dementia, but it is unknown whether similar benefits can be obtained later in life through deliberate intervention. Given the logistical hurdles of second language acquisition in a randomized trial for older adults, few interventional studies have been done thus far. However, recently developed smartphone apps offer a convenient means to acquire skills in a second language and can be compared with brain training apps specifically designed to improve executive function. In a randomized clinical trial, 76 adults aged 65-75 were assigned to either 16 weeks of Spanish learning using the app Duolingo 30 minutes a day, an equivalent amount of brain training using the app BrainHQ, or a waitlist control condition. Executive function was assessed before and after the intervention with preregistered (NCT03638882) tests previously linked to better performance in bilinguals. For two of the primary measures: incongruent Stroop color naming and 2-back accuracy, Duolingo provided equivalent benefits as BrainHQ compared to a control group. On reaction time for N-back and Simon tests, the BrainHQ group alone experienced strong gains over the other two groups. Duolingo was rated as more enjoyable. These results suggest that app-based language learning may provide some similar benefits as brain training in improving executive function in seniors but has less impact on processing speed. However, future advancements in app design may optimize not only the acquisition of the target language but also the side benefits of the language learning experience.
双语能力与改善执行功能和延缓痴呆症发病有关，但目前尚不清楚通过刻意干预在晚年是否能获得类似的益处。鉴于在针对老年人的随机试验中进行第二语言习得存在后勤障碍，到目前为止几乎没有进行过干预性研究。然而，最近开发的智能手机应用程序提供了一种便捷的方式来学习第二语言技能，并且可以与专门设计用于改善执行功能的大脑训练应用程序进行比较。在一项随机临床试验中，76名65至75岁的成年人被分配到以下三组之一：每天使用Duolingo应用程序学习30分钟西班牙语，为期16周；使用BrainHQ应用程序进行等量的大脑训练；或加入候补名单作为对照。在干预前后，使用预先注册（NCT03638882）的测试评估执行功能，这些测试之前与双语者的更好表现相关。对于两项主要指标：不一致的Stroop颜色命名和2-back准确性，与对照组相比，Duolingo提供了与BrainHQ同等的益处。在N-back和Simon测试的反应时间方面，只有BrainHQ组比其他两组有显著提高。Duolingo的用户评价更高。这些结果表明，基于应用程序的语言学习在改善老年人执行功能方面可能提供与大脑训练类似的一些益处，但对处理速度的影响较小。然而，应用程序设计的未来进展可能不仅会优化目标语言的习得，还会优化语言学习体验的附带益处。
