Abstract
The main study objective was to investigate the effect of interactive television-based cognitive training on cognitive performance of 119 healthy older adults, aged 60–87 years. Participants were randomly allocated to a cognitive training group or to an active control group in a single-blind controlled two-group design. Before and after training interactive television cognitive performance was assessed on well validated tests of fluid, higher-order ability, and system usability was evaluated. The participants in the cognitive training group completed a television-based cognitive training programme, while the participants in the active control group completed a TV-based programme of personally benefiting activities. Significant improvements were observed in well validated working memory and executive function tasks in the cognitive training but not in the control group. None of the groups showed statistically significant improvement in life satisfaction score. Participants' reports of “adequate” to “high” system usability testify to the successful development and implementation of the interactive television-based system and compliant cognitive training contents. The study demonstrates that cognitive training delivered by means of an interactive television system can generate genuine cognitive benefits in users and these are measurable using well-validated cognitive tests. Thus, older adults who cannot use or afford a computer can easily use digital interactive television to benefit from advanced software applications designed to train cognition.
Highlights
IntroductionWith increasing age crystallised intelligence (the ability to acquire and store general and cultural knowledge) is believed to rise while fluid intelligence (the ability to observe complex relationships and to infer or predict subsequent relationships or actions on the basis of those observations) is known to decline, starting already in the middle of the fourth decade of life [1], [2]
With increasing age crystallised intelligence is believed to rise while fluid intelligence is known to decline, starting already in the middle of the fourth decade of life [1], [2]
ITV can be considered as an alternative to computer for cognitive training delivery representing cheap alternative based on technology already available in households and most elderly citizens are familiar with it
Summary
With increasing age crystallised intelligence (the ability to acquire and store general and cultural knowledge) is believed to rise while fluid intelligence (the ability to observe complex relationships and to infer or predict subsequent relationships or actions on the basis of those observations) is known to decline, starting already in the middle of the fourth decade of life [1], [2]. Financial, cognitive, or psychological barriers [6], [9] impede seniors’ use of computerbased information technology, and increased stress and decreased self-efficacy loom large in their interactions with computers [10]. ITV can be considered as an alternative to computer for cognitive training delivery representing cheap alternative based on technology already available in households and most elderly citizens are familiar with it. It does not usually engender fear and awe as computers might [14]
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