Effects of computer training and Internet usage on the well-being and quality of life of older adults: a randomized, controlled study.
The quality of life of older adults may be improved by the use of computer or Web-based services. A limited number of experimental studies on this topic have shown mixed results. We carried out a randomized, controlled intervention study that aimed to examine the causal relationship between computer use and measures of physical well-being, social well-being, emotional well-being, development and activity, and autonomy. We randomly assigned a group of 191 participants to an intervention group, a training-no intervention group, or a no training-no intervention group. A fourth group consisted of 45 participants with no interest in computer use. We collected data at baseline, after 4 months, and after 12 months. The results showed that using computers and the Internet neither positively nor negatively influenced everyday functioning, well-being and mood, and the social network of healthy older individuals. We discuss possibilities for future studies.
Institute of Brain and Behaviour, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands. karin.slegers@vodafone.com
Karin
K
Slegers
Martin P J
MP
van Boxtel
Jelle
J
Jolles
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface