For all its warts , being online might be an overall positively charged for old masses , new research suggests . The study found that reported regular internet use was associated with a reduce hazard of dementedness in those over 50 . The magnanimous potential welfare was come across in masses who reported two hour or less of internet use compare to none .
The study was impart by research worker from New York University . They psychoanalyze data point from theHealth and Retirement Study , a government - funded project that has tracked the well-being of a representative sample distribution of older Americans via surveys lead every two years . One of the many questions ask of citizenry in the study is whether they utilise the cyberspace .
The squad focused on nearly 18,000 adults over 50 who were dementia - devoid at the outset of the study and were followed for up to 17 age . They then split up the participants into two groups , based on whether they said they on a regular basis used the net in their initial survey . Another questionnaire tax people ’s cognition , which the researchers used as a measuring rod for dementia position .
Image: OlegRi (Shutterstock)
The authors regain that even net user were half as potential to meet the criteria for dementia than those who reported no use at baseline , even after answer for for other factor like their pre - existing health . hoi polloi who continued to account using the internet in subsequent surveys also appeared to have an even lower risk of infection .
“ Taken together , these finding paint a picture that on a regular basis using the internet may be associated with cognitive longevity , ” the source wrote in their composition , publishedWednesday in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society .
This is n’t thefirst studyto find a coefficient of correlation between internet use and subdue dementedness endangerment in older people . But the authors say their analysis is the longest of its kind to study this potential relationship . The Health and Retirement Study is also a prospective study , meaning it proactively track people ’s outcomes over time . These study are generally better at rooting out a cause - and - effect link between two factors — in this case , internet function reduce dementedness peril — than many other types of research .
There are still many question remaining about this link , though . The authors also looked at data point from a smaller sample distribution of participant who report how often they used the internet on a hebdomadal base . They found a possible U - shaped tie-up between hr online and dementedness risk , where masses who pass the least and the most time online ( between 6 to 8 time of day a day ) seemed to have the highest dementia risk . Meanwhile , the miserable endangerment was see in those who spent two or fewer hours on the cyberspace a sidereal day . However , the dispute in risk for very online masses was n’t statistically substantial , perhaps due to the smaller sample distribution sizing useable .
It ’s likely that there is a point of diminishing income tax return , the writer say , where “ undue on-line engagement may have adverse cognitive effects on elder adults . ” But more research will be needed to find where this breaker point is . And even if using the internet can help reduce dementia risk , this relationship could slue both way , the authors note . People who develop dementedness might start to use the internet less and less over time , for instance .
At the very least , this study should inspire other researchers to project out the best counterweight between staying online and staying mentally sharp , the scientists say .
“ Since a somebody ’s online engagement may include a wide range of activities , future enquiry may identify different patterns of cyberspace usage associate with the cognitively tidy lifespan while being aware of the potential side issue of exuberant usage , ” they wrote .
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