Internet-based Conversations Improve Cognitive Functions in Older Adults
Summary:
Engaging in structured video chats can significantly enhance cognitive functions in socially isolated older adults, according to a new clinical trial conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital. The trial, known as I-CONECT, involved 186 participants aged 75 and older who participated in frequent digital conversations. The study revealed that these interactions not only improved memory and executive function, particularly in those with mild cognitive impairment, but also enhanced emotional well-being and increased brain connectivity in regions associated with attention.
Key Facts:
- Enhanced Cognitive Function: Participants in the I-CONECT trial who engaged in frequent digital conversations showed improvements in global cognitive test scores and language-based executive functions.
- Improved Emotional Well-Being: Regular social contact, even in the form of brief conversations, can positively impact emotional health.
- Neurological Benefits: Conversational interactions increased connectivity within the dorsal attention network of the brain, which is crucial for maintaining attention.
Just talking to other people, even online, can stimulate brain functions among socially isolated older adults, according to a new clinical trial.
The trial, called I-CONECT, was conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital and involved 186 participants aged 75 years and older who experienced social isolation. The study aimed to investigate the effects of internet-based conversations on cognitive function and emotional well-being in older adults. The results, published in The Gerontologist, reveal the positive impact of these digital interactions on cognitive abilities.
Lead author Hiroko H. Dodge, the principal investigator of the trial, highlighted the importance of the study, stating, “We initiated the first proof of concept behavioral intervention study nearly a decade ago, shedding light on the detrimental effects of social isolation on our overall health, which have become significantly pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
During the trial, participants engaged in 30-minute video chats four times per week for a year. The researchers ensured the novelty of the experience by rotating conversation partners assigned to each participant. The conversations were centered around standardized daily themes and picture prompts, making it a stimulating and engaging experience.
The results of the trial were promising. Participants who engaged in frequent digital conversations showed significant improvements in global cognitive test scores and language-based executive functions. Specifically, those with mild cognitive impairment exhibited higher memory-related brain function than the control group. Additionally, both the control and intervention groups experienced enhanced emotional well-being, illustrating the positive effects of regular social contact, even through brief conversations.
Brain imaging tests conducted on the intervention group revealed increased connectivity within the dorsal attention network, a region vital for visuospatial attention. However, these results must be interpreted cautiously due to limitations caused by the research restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on the positive feedback and requests from trial participants for continued conversational engagement, the researchers formed a nonprofit organization called the I-CONNECT Foundation. The foundation aims to provide social interactions to isolated older individuals in the community, free of charge, using the same materials and methods as the trial.
Dodge expressed their next goals, saying, “Our next goal is to extend these activities to reach more isolated individuals in need and investigate the biological mechanisms underlying the impact of social interactions on the brain functions. Providing frequent stimulating conversational interactions online could be an effective home-based strategy to reduce dementia risk and counter cognitive decline.”
The researchers are also exploring the use of chatbots—a form of artificial intelligence—in providing conversational interactions as a cost-effective intervention. “We are currently investigating the effectiveness of chatbots in stimulating cognitive functions. While human contacts are crucial for emotional well-being, chatbots might prove as effective as humans in cognitive stimulation,” explained Dodge.
This clinical trial, funded by the National Institute on Aging, provides valuable insights into the benefits of internet-based conversations on cognitive function and emotional well-being in socially isolated older adults. The findings emphasize the potential of digital interactions as a means to combat social isolation and its cognitive consequences.
About this cognition and aging research news
Author: Tracy Hampton
Source: Harvard
Contact: Tracy Hampton – Harvard
Abstract:
Researchers conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial called I-CONECT to examine the effects of enhanced social interactions on cognitive functions among socially isolated older adults. The trial involved frequent video chat sessions over a year, resulting in significant improvements in cognitive test scores and emotional well-being. The findings suggest that frequent stimulating conversational interactions through the internet can serve as an effective strategy to mitigate the cognitive decline associated with social isolation in older adults.
