Shaleha Rinanda, Roque Nelson
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
Digit Health. 2025 Jul 10;11:20552076251343989. doi: 10.1177/20552076251343989. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.
With increasing digital engagement across the lifespan, understanding how screen use influences cognitive aging is a growing public health priority. While much research has focused on younger populations, the cognitive implications of screen time in midlife and older adulthood remain underexplored. This scoping review synthesizes recent evidence on the associations between screen-based behaviors and cognitive outcomes in adults aged 40 and older.
Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed and CINAHL for studies published between 2018 and 2023. Eligible studies examined the relationship between screen use and cognitive function in adults aged 40 and above. Data were charted across screen types, cognitive domains, and study characteristics.
Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Active screen use was generally associated with better cognitive outcomes, particularly in memory, executive function, and attention. In contrast, passive screen use was linked to poorer outcomes, including verbal memory and global cognition declines. Findings varied across cognitive domains and were influenced by moderators such as education, physical activity, sleep quality, and digital attitudes.
Screen time during midlife and older adulthood carries both risks and potential cognitive benefits. Its effects are specific to different domains and depend on context. Future research should adopt more nuanced, longitudinal, and inclusive approaches to guide digital health strategies that promote cognitive well-being in aging populations.
随着人们在整个生命周期中数字参与度的不断提高，了解屏幕使用如何影响认知衰老已成为日益重要的公共卫生优先事项。虽然许多研究集中在较年轻的人群上，但中年和老年阶段屏幕使用时间对认知的影响仍未得到充分探索。本范围综述综合了关于40岁及以上成年人基于屏幕的行为与认知结果之间关联的最新证据。
遵循PRISMA-ScR指南，我们系统地在PubMed和CINAHL中检索了2018年至2023年发表的研究。符合条件的研究考察了40岁及以上成年人屏幕使用与认知功能之间的关系。数据按屏幕类型、认知领域和研究特征进行梳理。
17项研究符合纳入标准。积极的屏幕使用通常与更好的认知结果相关，特别是在记忆、执行功能和注意力方面。相比之下，被动的屏幕使用与较差的结果相关，包括言语记忆和整体认知能力下降。研究结果在不同认知领域有所不同，并受到教育、体育活动、睡眠质量和数字态度等调节因素的影响。
中年和老年阶段的屏幕使用时间既有风险，也可能带来认知益处。其影响因不同领域而异，并取决于具体情况。未来的研究应采用更细致入微、纵向和包容性的方法，以指导促进老年人群认知健康 的数字健康策略。
