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Mobile Phone Use and Cognitive Impairment among Elderly Chinese: A National Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Author

Listed:
  • Shige Qi

    (National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
    These authors contributed equally as first authors in this publication.)

  • Yuying Sun

    (School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    These authors contributed equally as first authors in this publication.)

  • Peng Yin

    (National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China)

  • Han Zhang

    (National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China)

  • Zhihui Wang

    (National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China)

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between mobile phone use and cognitive impairment using the data of the Prevention and Intervention on Neurodegenerative Disease for Elderly in China (PINDEC) survey. A total of 21,732 participants aged 60 years and above in China were recruited using a stratified, multi-stage cluster sampling method, providing information on demographics, lifestyle and health-related characteristics, mobile phone use, and cognitive impairment through face-to-face interviews by trained staff according to a standard protocol. All estimates of rates were weighted by sex, age, and living area (rural or urban) in the elderly Chinese population. The rate of mobile phone usage was 65.5% (14.3% for smartphone use). The prevalence of cognitive impairment in non-users of mobile phone, dumbphone users, and smartphone users were 17.8%, 5.0%, and 1.4%, respectively. The odds of having cognitive impairment in users of dumbphone and smartphone were lower than non-users after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle, and health-related factors (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.39, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.45; p < 0.001; AOR, 0.16, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.25; p < 0.001, respectively). Smartphone use in Chinese elderly people was quite low. A strong correlation was found between mobile phone use and better cognitive function; yet longitudinal studies are warranted to explore the causal relationship. Future design of mobile phone-based interventions should consider the feasibility among those in need.

Suggested Citation

  • Shige Qi & Yuying Sun & Peng Yin & Han Zhang & Zhihui Wang, 2021. "Mobile Phone Use and Cognitive Impairment among Elderly Chinese: A National Cross-Sectional Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5695-:d:562456
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qilin Zhang & Yanli Wu & Tiankuo Han & Erpeng Liu, 2019. "Changes in Cognitive Function and Risk Factors for Cognitive Impairment of the Elderly in China: 2005–2014," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-13, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chun Yang & Daniel W. L. Lai & Yi Sun & Chun-Yin Ma & Anson Kai Chun Chau, 2022. "Mobile Application Use and Loneliness among Older Adults in the Digital Age: Insights from a Survey in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-22, June.

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