Abstract

Background: Computers have become an integral part of our modern world. Computer use is an interactive activity. Participation in cognitively challenging activities is associated with higher level of cognitive performance. However, effect of computer use on cognitive function is not well understood. Hence this study was taken up to evaluate the effect of occupational computer use on cognition. Methodology: A total of 50 occupational (using computer for work for >40hrs/week) and 50 recreational (<15hrs/ week) computer users who were graduates in the age group of 21-35yrs were tested for ‘Mental Speed’ by Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), ‘Sustained Attention’ by Digit Vigilance Test (DVT), ‘Response Inhibition’ by Stroop Test and ‘Learning & Memory’ by Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) & Complex Figure Test (CFT). Results: Results were statistically analysed using student ’t’ test. Occupational computer users performed better than the controls in DSST (p=0.041), DVT (p=0.027), Stroop Test (p=0.004) and Complex Figure Test (p=0.02) which were statistically significant. However, no statistically significant difference was observed in AVLT between the two groups. Conclusion: Occupational computer users have better mental speed, sustained attention, response inhibition and visual memory compared to recreational computer users.

Authors and Affiliations