老年阶段外语学习改善执行功能？一项三水平元分析
Does foreign language learning improve executive functions in older adults? A three-level meta-analysis
张楠 1黄立鹤1
作者信息
- 1. 同济大学外国语学院;同济大学老龄语言与看护研究中心
- 折叠
摘要
为揭示老年阶段启动的外语学习对个体执行功能的影响，对纳入的20项研究(63个效应量)进行三水平元分析。结果显示，老年阶段外语学习对执行功能具有较小但显著的改善作用(g = 0.37, p < 0.001)；在高质量“外语学习-主动对照”RCT亚组中，效应明显减弱(g = 0.11, p = 0.119)，提示语言特异性增益有限，总体效应可能部分源于外语学习的一般认知刺激属性。调节效应分析发现，执行功能的改善效果受语言距离的显著调节，语言距离越远，认知改善越显著；初步证据显示，认知障碍老人的增益效果优于健康群体，但该结论仅基于3项独立研究，有待后续验证。线性元回归中，学习时长和学习强度的调节作用均不显著；进一步的非线性分析显示，学习强度存在显著的非线性调节作用。对照类型及执行功能子成分的调节作用皆不显著。此外，加工复杂性效应假说的支持力度显著高于干扰抑制效应假说，结果支持双语执行加工优势假说而非双语抑制控制优势假说。研究可为开发低成本的非药物认知干预方案及老年认知健康实践提供依据，也为探讨全生命周期语言学习及其认知效应研究奠定基础。
Abstract
To investigate the effects of late-life foreign language learning on executive function (EF), a three-level meta-analysis was conducted on 20 studies (63 effect sizes) identified through a rigorous systematic literature search. The results showed that late-life foreign language learning yielded a small but significant overall effect on EF (g = 0.37, p < 0.001). However, when the analysis was restricted to effect sizes from RCTs comparing foreign language learning groups with active control groups, the effect was reduced and was no longer statistically significant (g = 0.11, p = 0.119). This difference suggests that the cognitive benefits specifically attributable to language learning may be modest, and that previously observed gains may reflect general cognitive stimulation rather than language learning per se. Moderation analyses showed that linguistic distance significantly moderated the effect of language learning on EF, with greater distance associated with larger cognitive gains. Exploratory analyses suggested a greater benefit for older adults with cognitive impairment than for cognitively healthy older adults, although this finding is based on only three studies and awaits further confirmation. In addition, linear meta-regression showed no significant moderating effects of learning duration or learning intensity; however, nonlinear analyses revealed a significant nonlinear moderating effect of learning intensity. No significant moderating effects were found for control group type and EF component. Furthermore, the pattern of findings was more consistent with the processing complexity hypothesis than with the interference inhibition hypothesis, aligning more closely with the Bilingual Executive Processing Advantage (BEPA) hypothesis than with the Bilingual Inhibitory Control Advantage (BICA) hypothesis. This study highlights the potential of foreign language learning as an accessible, non-pharmacological form of cognitive engagement in later life and also motivates further research examining how the cognitive effects of language learning may vary across the lifespan.关键词
老年人/外语学习/执行功能/认知改善/元分析Key words
older adults/foreign language learning/executive functions/cognitive enhancement/meta-analysis引用本文复制引用
张楠,黄立鹤.老年阶段外语学习改善执行功能？一项三水平元分析[EB/OL].(2026-09-12)[2026-09-16].https://chinaxiv.org/abs/202609.00130.学科分类
常用外国语
