The application of technology to improve cognition in older adults: A review and suggestions for future directions

Abstract

The rapidly increasing worldwide population of older adults, along with the increasing prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in this population, is a growing health‐care problem. As such, advances in technology‐based cognitive interventions and games are playing an increasingly key role in preserving and improving older adults' cognitive function, especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic when opportunities for face‐to‐face activities or training are few. In this paper, we summarize from previous studies systematic reviews and meta‐analyses on the various types of technology used in cognitive interventions (namely, computerized cognitive training, virtual‐reality interventions and robot‐assisted interventions) and the empirical evidence on the effects of these technologies on global and specific cognitive functions in healthy and clinical populations of older adults (e.g., older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia). We also describe older adults' perceptions, experiences and acceptance of these technologies. Finally, we discuss the limitations, challenges and future avenues of research in this field.

Improvement of brain perfusion in patients with chronic brain ischemia at epidural spinal cord electrical stimulation

“…Changes in CBF (ml/100 ml/min) in the cerebral cortex (on average for all departments) in patients with epidural electrode placement at different levels: Th9-Th10, 1 subgroup; C3-C5, 2 subgroups; control, control group. world, accompanied by a general aging of the population and an increase in the number of "age-related diseases", including cognitive disorders of various origins (2,3,22). From 3% to 20% of people over 65 years of age have severe cognitive impairment in the form of dementia (3,23).…”

“…world, accompanied by a general aging of the population and an increase in the number of "age-related diseases", including cognitive disorders of various origins (2,3,22). From 3% to 20% of people over 65 years of age have severe cognitive impairment in the form of dementia (3,23). The incidence of milder cognitive impairment in the elderly is even greater, reaching, according to some reports, from 40% to 80% depending on age (24, 25).…”

“…The increase in life expectancy and aging of the population is accompanied by a steady increase in the number of elderly patients with chronic cerebral ischemia and age-related cognitive impairment associated with cerebral hypoperfusion and microangiopathy (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). The high social significance and prevalence of these disorders determines the relevance of finding new ways to correct these conditions, however, existing pharmacological methods that improve the functional state of the central nervous system (CNS) do not always meet the expectations of both doctors and patients (3,4).…”

“…The increase in life expectancy and aging of the population is accompanied by a steady increase in the number of elderly patients with chronic cerebral ischemia and age-related cognitive impairment associated with cerebral hypoperfusion and microangiopathy (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). The high social significance and prevalence of these disorders determines the relevance of finding new ways to correct these conditions, however, existing pharmacological methods that improve the functional state of the central nervous system (CNS) do not always meet the expectations of both doctors and patients (3,4). In recent years, various methods of neuromodulation based on epidural electrical stimulation of the spinal cord have been proposed in clinical practice for the correction of peripheral hemodynamic disorders in patients suffering from refractory angina pectoris or peripheral vasculopathy (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11).…”

Pension level, subjective wellbeing, and preference of care model among elderly people: An empirical study based on structural equation modeling

“…Total fertility rate and number of births are declining, while the proportion of elderly people is rising. At the same time, among the growing number of elderly people, a significant portion are facing significant health risks due to insufficient security of medical care, making care of the elderly a social concern (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). In recent years, reform of the elderly care system has been promoted in China; essentially, the country has developed a multi-level service system of elderly care, with "home-based care as the foundation, community as the support, and institutions as the supplement" (7)(8)(9)(10)(11).…”