Impact of Digital Device, Exercise, and Music Intervention Programs on the Cognition and Depression of the Elderly in South Korea: A Meta-Regression Analysis

Background: This study examined the effect of digital devices, exercise, and music intervention programs for the elderly in Korea on their cognition and depression. Methods: This study selected 70 cognition programs and 46 depression programs for the elderly in Korea. This study controlled the characteristics of the programs and participants, and conducted a meta-regression analysis to estimate the intervention effect size of digital devices, exercise, and music on cognition and depression. Results: The meta-regression analysis revealed that digital device programs had a smaller effect size with respect to the improvement of cognitive functions than programs that did not use digital devices. The exercise programs had a small effect size on depression, but their effect size on cognition was not significantly different. Discussion: These findings provide implications for developing a program that combines music therapy with digital devices and exercise interventions, which can be effective in addressing both cognition and depression.