The Effect of Reminiscence Therapy on Depression, Quality of Life, Ego-Integrity, Social Behavior Function, and Activies of Daily Living in Elderly Patients With Mild Dementia

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of reminiscence therapy work on depression, quality of life, ego-integrity, social behavior function, and activities of daily living. This study was a quasiexperimental study using a single-group pretest=posttest design. This therapy consists of eight sessions of 2.5 hours with a specific theme. A total of 19 patients with mild dementia who registered at a mental health center in community-dwelling participated in this study. Hypotheses were supported by quality of life, ego-integrity, and social behavior function. But depression and activities of daily living were not supported. Although all the hypotheses were not supported, a reminiscence therapy was beneficial. Patients with mild dementia can talk to each other naturally without feeling a psychological burden, and they are provided the opportunity to look back on their life.

The effect of reminiscence therapy on quality of life, attitudes to ageing, and depressive symptoms in institutionalized elderly adults with cognitive impairment: A quasi‐experimental study

“…Wingbermuehle et al (2014) also describe reminiscence as a successful approach to improving the quality of life of people with mild to moderately severe dementia. Jo and Eunju (2015) in their study on reminiscence work with patients with dementia and their quality of life and assess reminiscence as beneficial, as it improves communication in connection with the opportunity it provides to look back on their lives. The effect on communication was not tested in our research, but it was clear that the stimulation of speaking in group meetings, and the subsequent sharing of experiences were the cause of the development of communication among elderly adults, and also between elderly adults and staff.…”

Reminiscence in the Care of People with Mild Dementia: A Concept Analysis

“…Nurses usually employ reminiscence in geriatric and dementia care settings to improve neuropsychiatric symptoms and promote a sense of life satisfaction, pleasure, and well‐being for patients with mild dementia . Reminiscence is a stimulating activity that nurses use to promote patients’ development of communication skills and reduce social isolation through social interaction and connecting with others . During reminiscence sessions, reminiscence practitioners provide patients with a fertile ground for improving social inclusion and a comfortable atmosphere in which they can vent about stressful situations in their lives .…”

“…The current concept analysis explains the importance that additional research holds for the further development of the reminiscence concept and provides the next step for establishing reminiscence as a more widespread and accessible intervention in mild dementia care. Based on the results of this analysis, reminiscence can be adopted as an independent nursing intervention, as its defining attributes make it effectively geared towards nursing intervention . The close patient‐nurse relationships afforded by the nature of dementia care may allow nurses to use their knowledge of the environment, the individual patients, and effective therapeutic techniques in constructing comprehensive reminiscence activities .…”

“…Reviewing one's life is a central and natural component of aging required to foster self‐acceptance and positive psychological health . Reminiscence is a vital part of the aging process which can help older adults achieve ego integrity . Older adults with mild dementia tend to retain vivid memories of the distant past which they may be able to retrieve during reminiscence activities .…”

Development of a Reminiscence Therapy System for the Elderly Using the Integration of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

“…Through incorporating digital somatosensory games into reminiscence therapy, the researchers effectively enhanced users' healthy daily living activities and intergenerational interactions within their families, thereby generating positive perceptions. Jo et al [2] indicated that reminiscence therapy not only decelerates physiological and psychological deterioration caused by aging but also enables elderly people to engage in interpersonal and social interactions through positive and active approaches. Through doing so, it improves their social behaviors and interpersonal relationships as well as delaying the regression of their cognitive, verbal, and communication skills.…”