Effectiveness of group reminiscence for improving wellbeing of institutionalized elderly adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundGroup reminiscence therapy is a brief and structured intervention in which participants share personal past events with peers. This approach has been shown to be promising for improving wellbeing and reducing depressive symptoms among institutionalized older adults. However, despite the considerable interest in reminiscence group therapy, controlled studies to determine its specific benefits as compared to generic social interactions with peers (group conversations about everyday subjects) are still lacking.Methods/DesignWe have designed a randomized controlled trial aimed at comparing the effects of group reminiscence therapy with those of group recreational activity on the psychological wellbeing of an institutionalized sample of older adults. The study includes two groups of 20 hospitalized elderly participants: the experimental group and the control group. Participants included in the experimental group will receive six sessions of group reminiscence therapy, while the control group will participate in a recreational group discussion. A repeated-measures design will be used post-intervention and three months post-intervention to evaluate changes in self-reported outcome measures of depressive symptoms, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and quality of life from baseline.DiscussionThe protocol of a study aimed at examining the specific effects of group reminiscence therapy on psychological wellbeing, depression, and quality of life among institutionalized elderly people is described. It is expected that the outcomes of this trial will contribute to our knowledge about the process of group reminiscence, evaluate its effectiveness in improving psychological wellbeing of institutionalized individuals, and identify the best conditions for optimizing this approach.Trial registrationThis trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number: NCT02077153) on 31 January 2014.

Group reminiscence for hope and resilience in care-seekers who have attempted suicide

“…Group reminiscence therapy increased resilience score in the experiment group. This finding is consistent with other studies [17,27,28]. To explain this, reminiscence helps people to desert the thinking and behavior styles that have degraded their self-esteem and social relationships over time while it helps them to alleviate their negative feelings about themselves and others [29].…”

“…Throughout reminiscing, people re-evaluate their negative and positive experiences through reconstructing their life event and this leads to a lower depression and higher resilience [30]. Gaggioli et al [27] found that reminiscence had a significant effect on decreasing the symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts, while it improved resilience in subjects. Melendez-Moral et al (2013) argued that reminiscence resulted in a significant improvement in self-esteem, resilience, and interpersonal relationship in care-seekers [28].…”

Evaluation of MESSAGE communication strategy combined with group reminiscence therapy on elders with mild cognitive impairment in long‐term care facilities

“…The present study shows that intervention improved cognitive function in elderly people with MCI, thus improving their quality of life. Group reminiscence activities also promote interaction between elderly people, establish good social support system that reduces solitude and loneliness generated by sense of self‐conscious fatigue, and increase their vitality. In this study, elderly people with MCI were provided with group activities aimed at promoting life quality.…”

Qualidade de vida de idosos residentes em instituições privadas

“…São Paulo (SP), Brazil. E-mail: gscherrer@ig.com.br ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8958-6690; E-mail: kleyton.ufac@gmail.com ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6655-3412; 2,5,6 PhD in Sciences, Postgraduate Programs in Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo / UNIFESP. Escola Paulista de Enfermagem / EPE.…”