Effects of reminiscence group in elderly people with Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia in a community setting

Abstract

This study reports the effects of a reminiscence group program on elderly people with two major types of dementia, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, in a randomized controlled clinical trial with a 6-month follow up. The subjects were 24 participants with Alzheimer's disease and 36 with vascular dementia, and were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group followed a reminiscence group program in a geriatric health facility for 8 weeks; the control group followed a routine daycare program. The primary outcome was level of daily life activities (i.e. self-care, disorientation, depression, irritability and withdrawal) measured by the Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects. The second outcome was level of cognitive function measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination. For participants with Alzheimer's disease, the intervention group exhibited significant improvement of withdrawal compared with the control group immediately after intervention (P < 0.05). For participants with vascular dementia, the intervention group exhibited significant improvement of withdrawal and cognitive function compared with the control group immediately after intervention (withdrawal, P < 0.05; cognitive function, P < 0.05) and after 6-month follow up (withdrawal, P < 0.05; cognitive function, P < 0.05). The reminiscence group program is an effective means of enhancing the remaining capacity and the adaptation to a daily life in elderly people with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. However, it is also suggested that sustained intervention may be necessary to maintain the effect over time, especially in elderly people with Alzheimer's disease.

A quasi-experimental study of a reminiscence program focused on autobiographical memory in institutionalized older adults with cognitive impairment

“…In fact, reminiscence therapy among individuals with dementia is usually conducted in groups (Akanuma et al, 2011;Hsieh et al, 2010;Lalanne & Piolino, 2013;Wang, Yen, & OuYang, 2009). Studies about the use of reminiscence interventions found that it improves cognition (Akhoondzadeh, Jalalmanesh, & Hojjati, 2014;Cotelli et al, 2012;Tadaka & Kanagawa, 2007;Woods et al, 2005) decreases depressive symptoms (Chung, 2009;Hsieh et al, 2010;Wang, 2007), decreases behavioral symptoms (Akanuma et al, 2011;Hsieh et al, 2010;Huang, Li, Yang, & Chen, 2009;Wang et al, 2009;Woods et al, 2005;Yamagami, Oosawa, Ito, & Yamaguchi, 2007), promotes happiness (Okumura, Tanimukai, & Asada, 2008), enhances a positive mood (Cotelli et al, 2012;O´Rourke, Tobin, O´Callaghan, Sowman, & Collins, 2011;Woods et al, 2005) and facilitates communication (Huang et al, 2009;O´Rourke et al, 2011;Okumura et al, 2008).…”

Reminiscence in dementia: A concept analysis

“…Consequences are events that occur as a result of the concept. There are many documented consequences of reminiscence, some of which are that it aids positive mental health, aids successful adaptation to old age, reaffirms a sense of identity, maintains self esteem, improves communication skills, increases interaction between individuals, facilitates preparation for death, helps to master personal losses experienced in later life, facilitates important decision making, allows for examination of one's conscience, prepares for the future, and evaluates a past life (Bohlmeijer et al, 2007;Cappeliez et al, 2001Cappeliez et al, , 2005Cappeliez et al, , 2008Egan et al, 2007;Lai et al, 2004;Schweitzer & Bruce, 2008;Serrano et al, 2004;Swee Hong & Heathcote, 2005;Tadaka & Kanagawa, 2007;Thorgrimsen, Schweitzer, & Orrell, 2002;Woods et al, 2005;Yamagami et al, 2007;Zauszniewski et al, 2004).…”

Alzheimer’s Disease: A Clinical Perspective

“…Reminiscence therapy remains controversial, individually or in group, on past life events of the patient helped by using external aids such as photographs, household items, music and sound recordings, or other familiar items from the past. The final goal is to improve the psychological well-being, mood, and coping skills of patients with AD [128]. Researches have shown that reminiscence is useful to improve directly emotions in overall mood, thus can improve cognitive functioning [129][130][131][132].…”