Effectiveness of Reminiscence Therapy in Reducing Agitation and Depression and Improving Quality of Life and Cognition in Long-Term Care Residents With Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Geriatric Nursing
Thomas, J. M., & Sezgin, D. (2021).
Geriatric Nursing, 42(6), 1497-1506.
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effects of reminiscence therapy for people living in long-term care facilities with mild to moderate dementia.
No funding received
The data in this systematic review are available elsewhere in the Evidence Maps. See the Associated Article(s) section below for more information.
From database inception to December 2020
Randomized controlled trials
5, with 2 included in meta-analysis
<div>Mixed results were noted across studies regarding the impact of reminiscence therapy (RT) for individuals with mild to moderate dementia living within long-term care settings. Meta-analysis of included studies revealed were that:</div>
<ul>
<li>There was a non-significant improvement in depression measures overall (Moderate Quality of Evidence).</li>
<li>Limited evidence supported improved quality of life (QoL) following RT, however there was too few studies investigating this outcome to perform a meta-analysis (Moderate Quality of Evidence).</li>
<li>There was a non-significant improvement in cognition noted across studies (Low Quality of Evidence).</li>
<li>No research was found regarding the impact of RT on agitation.</li>
</ul>
<div>Limitations to this review include an overall paucity of research with small sample sizes, potential for bias regarding allocation concealment and blinding within studies, and overall moderate to low quality of evidence. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of RT in people with mild to moderate dementia.</div>
