Reminiscence therapy for dementia

Abstract

Background This updated Cochrane Review of reminiscence therapy (RT) for dementia was first published in 1998, and last updated in 2005. RT involves the discussion of memories and past experiences with other people using tangible prompts such as photographs or music to evoke memories and stimulate conversation. RT is implemented widely in a range of settings using a variety of formats. Objectives To assess the effects of RT on people living with dementia and their carers, taking into account differences in its implementation, including setting (care home, community) and modality (group, individual). Search methods We searched ALOIS (the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialized Register) on 6 April 2017 using the search term 'reminiscence.' Selection criteria We included all randomised controlled trials of RT for dementia in which the duration of the intervention was at least four weeks (or six sessions) and that had a 'no treatment' or passive control group. Outcomes of interest were quality of life (QoL), cognition, communication, behaviour, mood and carer outcomes. Data collection and analysis Two authors (LOP and EF) independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Where necessary, we contacted study authors for additional information. We pooled data from all sufficiently similar studies reporting on each outcome. We undertook subgroup analysis by setting (community versus care home) and by modality (individual versus group). We used GRADE methods to assess the overall quality of evidence for each outcome. Main results We included 22 studies involving 1972 people with dementia. Meta-analyses included data from 16 studies (1749 participants). Apart from six studies with risk of selection bias, the overall risk of bias in the studies was low. Overall, moderate quality evidence indicated RT did not have an important effect on QoL immediately after the intervention period compared with no treatment (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI)-0.12 to 0.33; I 2 = 59%; 8

Cognitive therapies and their impact on neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild cognitive impairment or dementia: a scoping review

“…With respect to reminiscence therapy, many experimental and review publications on patients with MCI or dementia reported better cognitive functioning and quality of life and a reduction in depressive symptoms following reminiscence therapy ( Lök et al, 2019 ; González-Arévalo, 2015 ; Moon and Park, 2020 ; O’Philbin et al, 2018 ; Park et al, 2019 ; Abu Khait et al, 2021 ; Ching-Teng et al, 2020 ; Van Bogaert et al, 2016 ), as did our review, which suggests a positive effect of reminiscence therapy on reducing depressive symptoms. Reminiscence therapy is an intervention in which participants discuss important events and past experiences using photographs, objects or music to evoke memories ( Spector et al, 2000 ). A possible explanation for its efficacy may be that reminiscence therapy is a less anxiety-producing and more attractive strategy in which the participants communicate and connect with their past ( Caddell and Clare, 2010 ; Dempsey et al, 2014 ).…”

Cognitive therapies and their impact on neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild cognitive impairment or dementia: a scoping review

“…With respect to reminiscence therapy, many experimental and review publications on patients with MCI or dementia reported better cognitive functioning and quality of life and a reduction in depressive symptoms following reminiscence therapy ( Lök et al, 2019 ; González-Arévalo, 2015 ; Moon and Park, 2020 ; O’Philbin et al, 2018 ; Park et al, 2019 ; Abu Khait et al, 2021 ; Ching-Teng et al, 2020 ; Van Bogaert et al, 2016 ), as did our review, which suggests a positive effect of reminiscence therapy on reducing depressive symptoms. Reminiscence therapy is an intervention in which participants discuss important events and past experiences using photographs, objects or music to evoke memories ( Spector et al, 2000 ). A possible explanation for its efficacy may be that reminiscence therapy is a less anxiety-producing and more attractive strategy in which the participants communicate and connect with their past ( Caddell and Clare, 2010 ; Dempsey et al, 2014 ).…”

Effects of reminiscence therapy on psychological outcome among older adults without obvious cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Studies on individual and group reminiscence have both reported improvements in depressive mood. The reason is that reminiscence therapy not only helps to provide pathways for older adults to express unsolved emotions, unknown fears and negative stress to prevent and improve depressed moods ( 50 ), but also effectively mobilizes positive emotions by evoking pleasant memories of the past and stimulating conversations with tangible reminders, such as old photos, historical objects, videos and songs ( 51 ). However, during reminiscence therapy, recalling negative life events will likely deepen non-pleasant memories and gradually perpetuate depressed mood in older adults ( 52 ).…”

Comparison between group and personal rehabilitation for dementia in a geriatric health service facility: single‐blinded randomized controlled study

“…Cognitive training in a group setting is more effective for cognitive function (effect size = 0.594, 95%CI: 0.052–1.137), than cognitive training in an individual setting (effect size = 0.403, 95%CI: 0.085–0.721). In addition, a Cochrane Review of reminiscence therapy for dementia showed that reminiscence therapy has a positive effect on cognitive function as measured by MMSE (effect size = 0.15, 95%CI: −0.30 to 0.61), with analysis performed in both individualized and group settings. In RCT studies, reminiscence therapy was more effective for cognitive function in a group setting than in an individual setting .…”

“…Woods and Clare noted that reminiscence group therapy, but not individual therapy, provides opportunities for social interaction and well‐being in cognitively impaired individuals . Reminiscence group therapy can play a role in reconstructing memory throughout life and play a stabilizing role . When participants express and release emotions, they experience the supportive atmosphere of a group, which creates a sense of being accepted and valued as a group member …”

Cognitive therapies and their impact on neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild cognitive impairment or dementia: a scoping review

“…With respect to reminiscence therapy, many experimental and review publications on patients with MCI or dementia reported better cognitive functioning and quality of life and a reduction in depressive symptoms following reminiscence therapy ( Lök et al, 2019 ; González-Arévalo, 2015 ; Moon and Park, 2020 ; O’Philbin et al, 2018 ; Park et al, 2019 ; Abu Khait et al, 2021 ; Ching-Teng et al, 2020 ; Van Bogaert et al, 2016 ), as did our review, which suggests a positive effect of reminiscence therapy on reducing depressive symptoms. Reminiscence therapy is an intervention in which participants discuss important events and past experiences using photographs, objects or music to evoke memories ( Spector et al, 2000 ). A possible explanation for its efficacy may be that reminiscence therapy is a less anxiety-producing and more attractive strategy in which the participants communicate and connect with their past ( Caddell and Clare, 2010 ; Dempsey et al, 2014 ).…”

Effects of reminiscence therapy on psychological outcome among older adults without obvious cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Studies on individual and group reminiscence have both reported improvements in depressive mood. The reason is that reminiscence therapy not only helps to provide pathways for older adults to express unsolved emotions, unknown fears and negative stress to prevent and improve depressed moods ( 50 ), but also effectively mobilizes positive emotions by evoking pleasant memories of the past and stimulating conversations with tangible reminders, such as old photos, historical objects, videos and songs ( 51 ). However, during reminiscence therapy, recalling negative life events will likely deepen non-pleasant memories and gradually perpetuate depressed mood in older adults ( 52 ).…”

Comparison between group and personal rehabilitation for dementia in a geriatric health service facility: single‐blinded randomized controlled study

“…Cognitive training in a group setting is more effective for cognitive function (effect size = 0.594, 95%CI: 0.052–1.137), than cognitive training in an individual setting (effect size = 0.403, 95%CI: 0.085–0.721). In addition, a Cochrane Review of reminiscence therapy for dementia showed that reminiscence therapy has a positive effect on cognitive function as measured by MMSE (effect size = 0.15, 95%CI: −0.30 to 0.61), with analysis performed in both individualized and group settings. In RCT studies, reminiscence therapy was more effective for cognitive function in a group setting than in an individual setting .…”

“…Woods and Clare noted that reminiscence group therapy, but not individual therapy, provides opportunities for social interaction and well‐being in cognitively impaired individuals . Reminiscence group therapy can play a role in reconstructing memory throughout life and play a stabilizing role . When participants express and release emotions, they experience the supportive atmosphere of a group, which creates a sense of being accepted and valued as a group member …”

Cognitive therapies and their impact on neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild cognitive impairment or dementia: a scoping review

“…With respect to reminiscence therapy, many experimental and review publications on patients with MCI or dementia reported better cognitive functioning and quality of life and a reduction in depressive symptoms following reminiscence therapy ( Lök et al, 2019 ; González-Arévalo, 2015 ; Moon and Park, 2020 ; O’Philbin et al, 2018 ; Park et al, 2019 ; Abu Khait et al, 2021 ; Ching-Teng et al, 2020 ; Van Bogaert et al, 2016 ), as did our review, which suggests a positive effect of reminiscence therapy on reducing depressive symptoms. Reminiscence therapy is an intervention in which participants discuss important events and past experiences using photographs, objects or music to evoke memories ( Spector et al, 2000 ). A possible explanation for its efficacy may be that reminiscence therapy is a less anxiety-producing and more attractive strategy in which the participants communicate and connect with their past ( Caddell and Clare, 2010 ; Dempsey et al, 2014 ).…”

Effects of reminiscence therapy on psychological outcome among older adults without obvious cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Studies on individual and group reminiscence have both reported improvements in depressive mood. The reason is that reminiscence therapy not only helps to provide pathways for older adults to express unsolved emotions, unknown fears and negative stress to prevent and improve depressed moods ( 50 ), but also effectively mobilizes positive emotions by evoking pleasant memories of the past and stimulating conversations with tangible reminders, such as old photos, historical objects, videos and songs ( 51 ). However, during reminiscence therapy, recalling negative life events will likely deepen non-pleasant memories and gradually perpetuate depressed mood in older adults ( 52 ).…”

Comparison between group and personal rehabilitation for dementia in a geriatric health service facility: single‐blinded randomized controlled study

“…Cognitive training in a group setting is more effective for cognitive function (effect size = 0.594, 95%CI: 0.052–1.137), than cognitive training in an individual setting (effect size = 0.403, 95%CI: 0.085–0.721). In addition, a Cochrane Review of reminiscence therapy for dementia showed that reminiscence therapy has a positive effect on cognitive function as measured by MMSE (effect size = 0.15, 95%CI: −0.30 to 0.61), with analysis performed in both individualized and group settings. In RCT studies, reminiscence therapy was more effective for cognitive function in a group setting than in an individual setting .…”

“…Woods and Clare noted that reminiscence group therapy, but not individual therapy, provides opportunities for social interaction and well‐being in cognitively impaired individuals . Reminiscence group therapy can play a role in reconstructing memory throughout life and play a stabilizing role . When participants express and release emotions, they experience the supportive atmosphere of a group, which creates a sense of being accepted and valued as a group member …”