Research Symposium
25th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 1, 2025
Kyla Ahlstrom Poster Session 4: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm/ Poster #8

BIO
I am a first-year student at Florida State University studying pre-nursing. I am originally from Prior Lake, Minnesota, but I have always loved Florida. I am interested in participating in medical-related research as well as volunteer work in health settings. My career goals consist of going to graduate school to study anesthesia and becoming a nurse anesthetist.
The Role of Information Communication Technologies in Mitigating Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Authors: Kyla Ahlstrom, Dorota Kossowska-KuhnStudent Major: NFA-Nursing
Mentor: Dorota Kossowska-Kuhn
Mentor's Department: Psychology Mentor's College: Florida State University Co-Presenters: Dinuki Wickramanayake
Abstract
With the increasing use of technology, it is important to identify how information and communication technology (ICT) can help mitigate cognitive decline with age. Experimental studies are essential for evaluating the impact of different types of ICT on cognition. ICT use can potentially help older adults learn new skills, maintain relationships, access information, and ultimately enrich their quality of life. Using the Covidence platform, we began a metanalysis by screening 3,516 scholarly interventional studies based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following the initial screening, we proceeded to the full text review and data extraction stages. To ensure the reliability of our findings, two reviewers independently assessed the studies, with a third reviewer resolving any conflicts. We hypothesize that the use of ICT in experimental studies may not yield significant differences in cognition. The mechanisms by which ICT influences cognition remain unclear, but future studies analyzing longitudinal data could determine if ICT use has a lasting effect on cognitive function. If our analysis reveals a positive relationship between ICT use and cognition, it could suggest a promising role for technology in preventing cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.
Keywords: Cognition, Technology, Psychology