Effectiveness on Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction for Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Life Review and Reminiscence Therapy across Settings

Abstract

Background: With the growing trend of ageing, there is an urgent need for effective interventions that enhance positive psychological functions among older adults. Objective: (1) To evaluate the effectiveness of life review and reminiscence therapy in enhancing the quality of life and life satisfaction among older adults. (2) To discover efficacious variables during interventions, such as form of intervention and number of sessions. Methods: Relevant randomized controlled trials in both English and Chinese languages were searched across eight databases. The meta-analysis was conducted by a random effects model using STATA 17. The registration number of this review is CRD42023424085. Results: Thirty-two studies with 2353 participants were included. Experimental groups of older adults significantly improved their quality of life (SMD 1.07; 95% CI 0.48 to 1.66; p < 0.001) and life satisfaction (SMD 1.12; 95% CI 0.63 to 1.60; p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed that individual sessions of life review and reminiscence therapy had a more significant impact on improving quality of life and six to eight intervention sessions could enhance life satisfaction more effectively. Conclusions: Life review and reminiscence therapy hold promise for application in medical and nursing care for older adults, suggesting the potential benefits of implementing intervention designs with effective settings for positive psychological functions.

Effects of life-story review on quality of life, depression, and life satisfaction in older adults in Oman: a randomized controlled study

“…Life-story work promotes attributing meaning to one’s life cycle, enhancing a sense of purpose and fulfillment [ 27 ]. It encourages social interaction and engagement, leading to a greater sense of belonging and improved social relationships [ 7 ]. It also improves psychosocial well-being, which can lead to higher QoL [ 17 ].…”

“…Psychological well-being includes self-image, negative thoughts, positive attitudes, self-esteem, and mental status [ 5 ]. As depression levels rise, QoL levels in older adults will reduce [ 6 ], and when their life satisfaction levels rise, their QoL levels will improve [ 7 ]. A study in China found that higher life satisfaction of older adults can enhance the effects of social support on their social relationships, which reduces depressive symptoms [ 8 ].…”

“…A systematic review revealed 286 empirical studies showing that social networks and a sense of well-being are positively associated with life satisfaction in older adults [ 9 ]. QoL measures permit researchers to compare the status of different groups over time and assess the effectiveness of public health interventions [ 7 ]. Environmental factors also play a significant role in the QoL of older adults [ 5 ].…”