The Effect of Information Therapy on Cognitive Deterioration

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Associate Professor, Department of  Information Sciences & universology shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran.

Abstract

Objective: In the digital age, the indiscriminate use of virtual spaces has emerged as a significant challenge to cognitive health. The phenomenon of “cognitive deterioration” refers to impairments in core cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and decision-making, resulting from sustained exposure to superficial and misleading information in digital environments. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of “information therapy” as an innovative intervention to mitigate cognitive deterioration. Information therapy is defined as the deliberate and strategic use of credible information resources to enhance mental and cognitive well-being.
Method: This study employed a mixed-methods design, integrating qualitative, cross-sectional, and quasi-experimental components. In the qualitative phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with six experts, including psychologists, neuroscientists, information technology specialists, and other relevant professionals, as well as focus group discussions, to identify key components of cognitive deterioration. The quantitative phase involved 36 participants who completed standardized questionnaires assessing cognitive functioning. In the quasi-experimental phase, the effectiveness of an information therapy intervention, comprising a book, podcast, film, and documentary, in reducing cognitive deterioration was evaluated using a paired t-test. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA (version X) and Stata (version Y) software.
Results: The findings of this study indicate a causal relationship among the variables under investigation, with the most prominent manifestations being diminished attention and concentration, impaired memory, heightened anxiety and depression, reduced sleep quality, and increased dependency on virtual environments. Based on the results of this research, several significant adverse effects were identified, including: 1) Components of Cognitive Deterioration: Excessive use of virtual spaces was significantly associated with multiple adverse outcomes, including diminished attention and memory (r = 0.55), heightened anxiety and depression (r = 0.60), reduced social interaction (r = 0.50), sleep disturbances (r = 0.65), and increased dependency on virtual environments (r = 0.64). 2) Impact of Virtual Space: Regression analysis revealed that reduced social interaction exerted the strongest influence on cognitive deterioration, whereas behavioral changes demonstrated the weakest association. 3) Effectiveness of Information Therapy: Mean cognitive deterioration scores improved significantly from 18.3 (SD = X) at pre-intervention to 25.1 (SD = Y) at post-intervention (t(df) = Z, p < 0.05), indicating a substantial reduction in adverse cognitive effects following the intervention.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that information therapy can serve as an effective strategy for mitigating cognitive deterioration. By enhancing awareness and strengthening information management skills, this approach enables individuals to adopt a more balanced and intentional use of virtual environments. Moreover, the results highlight the critical role of educational and sociocultural interventions in addressing the adverse effects associated with excessive engagement in digital spaces. Future research should investigate the long-term efficacy of information therapy and support the development of digital tools to facilitate its scalable implementation.

Keywords

References

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Academic Librarianship and Information Research
Volume 59, Issue 2
June 2025
Pages 1-21

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