Night Screen Time is Associated with Cognitive Function in Healthy Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Reime Jamal Shalash,1,2 Ashokan Arumugam,1– 4 Raneen Mohammed Qadah,1,2 Alham Al-Sharman1,2,5,6 1Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 2Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, RIMHS–Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 3Sustainable Engineering Asset Management Research Group, RISE-Research Institute of Science and Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 4Adjunct Faculty, Manipal College of Health professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India; 5Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 6Health Promotion research group -Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesCorrespondence: Alham Al-Sharman, Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, University City Rd, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [email protected]: In recent years, a significant shift toward remote work, virtual education, and social distancing measures was witnessed, thereby leading people to increasingly depend on digital devices for communication, work, and entertainment. This increased exposure to screens has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on cognitive function.Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between screen time and cognitive function among healthy young adults.Methods: One hundred forty-five healthy individuals (mean age 21.55 ± 2.84 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic information including age, sex, height, weight, and level of education were obtained. Participants reported screen time using a screen time questionnaire. Cognitive function tests including, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) were conducted. Multilinear regression analyses were used to examine the associations between age, sex, level of education, screen time, and cognitive function.Results: One hundred thirty-nine participants (76 women) completed the study. Increased night screen time, bachelor’s educational level, and women were associated with lower PASAT scores (R2=0.258; p≤ 0.047). Moreover, increased night screen time was associated with lower MoCA scores (R2=0.029; p=0.035). However, no associations were found between night screen time and SDMT scores.Conclusion: Participants who had higher night screen exposure had lower cognitive scores in the information speed processing, working memory, calculation, and attention domains. Considering these findings, this study emphasizes on the importance of setting a future recommended screen time guidelines for young adults as well as to promote healthy cognitive habits in order to preserve cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative disease in the future. Future prospective cohort studies involving a more diverse age range is needed.Keywords: cognition, young adults, screen time

Keywords

• cognition
• young adults
• screen time.