ABSTRACT

Bilingualism has been linked to improved executive function and delayed onset of dementia, but it is unknown whether similar benefits can be obtained later in life through deliberate intervention. Given the logistical hurdles of second language acquisition in a randomized trial for older adults, few interventional studies have been done thus far. However, recently developed smartphone apps offer a convenient means to acquire skills in a second language and can be compared with brain training apps specifically designed to improve executive function. In a randomized clinical trial, 76 adults aged 65–75 were assigned to either 16 weeks of Spanish learning using the app Duolingo 30 minutes a day, an equivalent amount of brain training using the app BrainHQ, or a waitlist control condition. Executive function was assessed before and after the intervention with preregistered (NCT03638882) tests previously linked to better performance in bilinguals. For two of the primary measures: incongruent Stroop color naming and 2-back accuracy, Duolingo provided equivalent benefits as BrainHQ compared to a control group. On reaction time for N-back and Simon tests, the BrainHQ group alone experienced strong gains over the other two groups. Duolingo was rated as more enjoyable. These results suggest that app-based language learning may provide some similar benefits as brain training in improving executive function in seniors but has less impact on processing speed. However, future advancements in app design may optimize not only the acquisition of the target language but also the side benefits of the language learning experience.

摘要

双语能力与执行功能的改善和痴呆症的延迟发作有关，但尚不清楚是否可以通过刻意干预在以后的生活中获得类似的好处。鉴于在一项针对老年人的随机试验中第二语言习得的后勤障碍，迄今为止很少进行干预研究。然而，最近开发的智能手机应用程序提供了一种获取第二语言技能的便捷方式，可以与专门设计用于提高执行功能的大脑训练应用程序进行比较。在一项随机临床试验中，76 名 65-75 岁的成年人被分配到每天 30 分钟使用 Duolingo 应用程序学习西班牙语 16 周，使用 BrainHQ 应用程序进行等量的大脑训练，或等待名单控制条件。执行功能在干预前后通过预先注册的 (NCT03638882) 测试进行评估，该测试先前与双语者的更好表现相关联。对于两个主要指标：不一致的 Stroop 颜色命名和 2-back 准确性，与对照组相比，Duolingo 提供了与 BrainHQ 相同的优势。在 N-back 和 Simon 测试的反应时间上，仅 BrainHQ 组就比其他两组有很大的进步。Duolingo 被评为更有趣。这些结果表明，基于应用程序的语言学习在提高老年人的执行功能方面可能会提供一些与大脑训练类似的好处，但对处理速度的影响较小。然而，应用程序设计的未来进步可能不仅会优化目标语言的习得，还会优化语言学习体验的附带好处。