Age differences in sustained attention: a meta-analysis of the SART

Many aspects of attention decline with cognitive aging. There is a current debate on how aging also affects sustained attention. We tried to contribute to this debate, starting from meta-analytically comparing performance on the go-nogo Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) in younger and older adults. A literature search was carried out using Pubmed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases, using the conjunction of the following terms: (“older adults” OR elderly OR aging OR “cognitive aging” OR “normal aging”) AND (SART OR “Sustained Attention to Response Task”). Studies were included only if a SART with 5-30% nogo trials, and a random or quasi-random presentation of stimuli, was administered to both healthy older and younger adults. A total of 13 studies were suitable involving 854 younger adults (18-39 years old) and 715 older ones (55-95 years old). Results showed that older adults were slower than younger controls on go trials (g= 1.00, 95% CI: 0.72–1.27) but more accurate than younger adults on nogo trials (g= 0.55, 95% CI: 0.30–0.81). Moreover, older adults were slower after a nogo error than younger adults (g= 0.81, 95% CI: 0.47–1.16). These results are compatible with an age-related processing speed deficit, mostly suggested by slower go-RTs, but also with an increased preference for a prudent strategy, as demonstrated by fewer nogo errors and greater post-error slowing in older adults. An inhibitory deficit account could not fit these findings, as older adults actually outperformed younger adults in the nogo condition by producing fewer false alarms.