Restricted accessReview articleFirst published online 2025-6
The Effectiveness of Reminiscence Interventions on Depression and Depressive Symptoms in Community-dwelling Older Adults without Significant Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review
Along with the global rise in the population of older adults, addressing depression among this population has become a critical public health concern. Reminiscence therapy is one of the interventions shown to be effective in reducing depression and depressive symptoms.
Objectives:
To systematically summarize the effectiveness of reminiscence interventions in reducing depression and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults without significant cognitive impairment.
Methods:
The literature search was conducted through four electronic databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus for studies published in English. Risks of bias were evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Joanna Briggs Institute Quality Appraisal Instrument.
Results:
The systematic review included 11 studies involving 650 community-dwelling older adults, with mean ages ranging from 65.3 to 78.7. Nine articles found reminiscence therapy effective in alleviating depression and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults without significant cognitive impairment. Structured reminiscence interventions were effective in reducing depression and depressive symptoms in six out of seven studies. Group reminiscence interventions demonstrated significant improvements in depression in 87.5% of studies. Memories triggers, suggested by four included studies, were practical tools to help initiate reminiscence sessions. All included studies were rated as having a low risk of bias.
Conclusion:
Reminiscence has the potential as a valuable and effective treatment for depression and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults without significant cognitive impairment. Future research should focus on exploring diverse modalities, incorporating active control groups, and having longer follow-up periods to assess sustained benefits.
MuhammadTRashidM.Prevalence and correlates of pain and associated depression among community-dwelling older adults: cross-sectional findings from LASI, 2017–2018. Depress Anxiety. 2022;39(2):163-174. doi:10.1002/da.23239
5.
RajapaksheOBWSivayoganSKulatungaPM. Prevalence and correlates of depression among older urban community-dwelling adults in Sri Lanka. Psychogeriatrics. 2019;19(3):202-211. doi:10.1111/psyg.12389
6.
LotfalianyMHoareEJackaFNKowalPBerkMMohebbiM.Variation in the prevalence of depression and patterns of association, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in community-dwelling older adults in six low- and middle-income countries. J Affect Disord. 2019;251:218-226. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.01.054
7.
WuCSYuSHLeeCYTsengHYChiuYFHsiungCA.Prevalence of and risk factors for minor and major depression among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. Int Psychogeriatrics. 2017;29(7):1113-1121. doi:10.1017/S1041610217000199
8.
PirkisJPfaffJWilliamsonM, et alThe community prevalence of depression in older Australians. J Affect Disord. 2009;115(1-2):54-61. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.014
SchaakxsRComijsHCLamersFKokRMBeekmanATFPenninxBWJH. Associations between age and the course of major depressive disorder: a 2-year longitudinal cohort study. Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(7):581-590. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30166-4
11.
CaseyDA.Depression in older adults: a treatable medical condition. Prim Care. 2017;44(3):499-510. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2017.04.007
12.
SkoogI.Psychiatric disorders in the elderly. Can J Psychiatry. 2011;56(7):387-397. doi:10.1177/070674371105600702
13.
ConnerKOCopelandVCGroteNK, et alMental health treatment seeking among older adults with depression: the impact of stigma and race. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2010;18(6):531-543. doi:10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181cc0366
14.
CepoiuMMcCuskerJColeMGSewitchMCiampiA.Recognition of depression in older medical inpatients. J Gen Intern Med. 2007;22(5):559-564. doi:10.1007/s11606-006-0085-0
15.
BriggsRTobinKKennyRAKennellySP.What is the prevalence of untreated depression and death ideation in older people? Data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging. Int Psychogeriatrics. 2018;30(9):1393-1401. doi:10.1017/S104161021700299X
16.
HuangAXDelucchiKDunnLBNelsonJC.A systematic review and meta-analysis of psychotherapy for late-life depression. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015;23(3):261-273. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2014.04.003
17.
GumAMAreánPAHunkelerE, et alDepression treatment preferences in older primary care patients. Gerontologist. 2006;46(1):14-22. doi:10.1093/geront/46.1.14
18.
RauePJSchulbergHCHeoMKlimstraSBruceML.Patients’ depression treatment preferences and initiation, adherence, and outcome: a randomized primary care study. Psychiatr Serv. 2009;60(3):337-343. doi:10.1176/ps.2009.60.3.337
19.
ReadJWilliamsJ.Adverse effects of antidepressants reported by a large international cohort: emotional blunting, suicidality, and withdrawal effects. Curr Drug Saf. 2018;13(3):176-186. doi:10.2174/1574886313666180605095130
LeeSYFranchettiMKImanbayevAGalloJJSpiraAPLeeHB.Non-pharmacological prevention of major depression among community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review of the efficacy of psychotherapy interventions. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2012;55(3):522-529. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2012.03.003
22.
RauePJMcGovernAKiossesDSireyJA.Advances in psychotherapy for depressed older adults. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2017;19(9):57. doi:10.1007/s11920-017-0812-8
23.
TamWPoonSNMahendranRKuaEHWuXV.The effectiveness of reminiscence-based intervention on improving psychological well-being in cognitively intact older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud. 2021;114:103847. doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103847
WebsterJD.Construction and validation of the Reminiscence Functions Scale. J Gerontol. 1993;48(5):P256-P262. doi:10.1093/geronj/48.5.P256
26.
ButlerRN.The life review: an interpretation of reminiscence in the aged. Psychiatry. 1963;26(1):65-76. doi:10.1080/00332747.1963.11023339
27.
WebsterJDBohlmeijerETWesterhofGJ.Mapping the future of reminiscence: a conceptual guide for research and practice. Res Aging. 2010;32(4):527-564. doi:10.1177/0164027510364122
28.
Syed EliasSMNevilleCScottT.The effectiveness of group reminiscence therapy for loneliness, anxiety and depression in older adults in long-term care: a systematic review. Geriatr Nurs. 2015;36(5):372-380. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2015.05.004
29.
BurnsideIHaightBK.Reminiscence and life review: analyzing each concept. J Adv Nurs. 1992;17(7):855-862. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.1992.tb02008.x
30.
RubinAParrishDEMiyawakiCE.Benchmarks for evaluating life review and reminiscence therapy in alleviating depression among older adults. Soc Work. 2019;64(1):61-72. doi:10.1093/sw/swy054
31.
StinsonCKKirkE.Structured reminiscence: an intervention to decrease depression and increase self-transcendence in older women. J Clin Nurs. 2006;15(2):208-218. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2006.01292.x
32.
BohlmeijerETRoemerMCuijpersPSmitF.The effects of reminiscence on psychological well-being in older adults: a meta-analysis. Aging Ment Health. 2007;11(3):291-300. doi:10.1080/13607860600963547
33.
WattLMWongPTP. A taxonomy of reminiscence and therapeutic implications. J Gerontol Soc Work. 1991;16(1-2):37-57. doi:10.1300/J083v16n01_04
34.
PengXDHuangCQChenLJLuZC.Cognitive behavioural therapy and reminiscence techniques for the treatment of depression in the elderly: a systematic review. J Int Med Res. 2009;37(4):975-982. doi:10.1177/147323000903700401
35.
LiuZYangFLouYZhouWTongF.The effectiveness of reminiscence therapy on alleviating depressive symptoms in older adults: a systematic review. Front Psychol. 2021;12:709853. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.709853
36.
HsiehHFWangJJ.Effect of reminiscence therapy on depression in older adults: a systematic review. Int J Nurs Stud. 2003;40(4):335-345. doi:10.1016/S0020-7489(02)00101-3
37.
PinquartMForstmeierS.Effects of reminiscence interventions on psychosocial outcomes: a meta-analysis. Aging Ment Heal. 2012;16(5):541-558. doi:10.1080/13607863.2011.651434
38.
AlqamBM.The effects of reminiscence therapy on depressive symptoms among elderly: an evidence based review. Cit Alqam BM. 2018;3(1):1. doi:10.21767/2476-2105.100065
39.
SterneJACSavovićJPageMJ, et al. Rob 2: a revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. Br Med J. 2019;(Aug):336-l4898. doi:10.1136/bmj.l4898
40.
McGuinnessLAHigginsJPT. Risk-of-bias VISualization (robvis): An R package and shiny web app for visualising risk-of-bias assessments. Res Synth Methods. 2021;12(1):55-61. doi:10.1002/jrsm.1411
41.
TufanaruCMunnZAromatarisECampbellJHoppL.Chapter 3: systematic reviews of effectiveness. In: AromatarisEMunnZ eds. JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. 2020. https://synthesismanual.jbi.global. doi:10.46658/JBIMES-24-01
42.
WuDChenTYangHGongQHuX.Verbal responses, depressive symptoms, reminiscence functions and cognitive emotion regulation in older women receiving individual reminiscence therapy. J Clin Nurs. 2018;27(13-14):2609-2619. doi:10.1111/jocn.14156
43.
ChoyJCPLouVWQ.Effectiveness of the modified instrumental reminiscence intervention on psychological well-being among community-dwelling Chinese older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016;24(1):60-69. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2015.05.008
44.
AreanPAPerriMGNezuAMScheinRLChristopherFJosephTX.Comparative effectiveness of social problem-solving therapy and reminiscence therapy as treatments for depression in older adults. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1993;61(6):1003-1010. doi:10.1037/0022-006x.61.6.1003
45.
CherianVE.An experimental study to assess the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy on the level of depression among geriatrics in a WHO society, Greater Noida, UP. Int J Nurs Educ. 2019;11(1):135-139. doi:10.5958/0974-9357.2019.00026.6
46.
Meléndez MoralJCFortuna TerreroFBSales GalánAMayordomo RodríguezT.Effect of integrative reminiscence therapy on depression, well-being, integrity, self-esteem, and life satisfaction in older adults. J Posit Psychol. 2015;10(3):240-247. doi:10.1080/17439760.2014.936968
47.
ViguerPSatorresEFortunaFBMeléndezJC.A follow-up study of a reminiscence intervention and its effects on depressed mood, life satisfaction, and well-being in the elderly. J Psychol. 2017;151(8):789-803. doi:10.1080/00223980.2017.1393379
48.
WattLMCappeliezP.Integrative and instrumental reminiscence therapies for depression in older adults: intervention strategies and treatment effectiveness. Aging Ment Heal. 2000;4(2):166-177. doi:10.1080/13607860050008691
49.
WangJJ.The comparative effectiveness among institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly people in Taiwan of reminiscence therapy as a psychological measure. J Nurs Res. 2004;12(3):237-245. doi:10.1097/01.JNR.0000387507.06502.d9
50.
AllenAPDoyleCRocheRAP. The impact of reminiscence on autobiographical memory, cognition and psychological well-being in healthy older adults. Eur J Psychol. 2020;16(2):317-330. doi:10.5964/ejop.v16i2.2097
51.
HanaokaHMurakiTYamaneSShimizuHOkamuraH.Testing the feasibility of using odors in reminiscence therapy in Japan. Phys Occup Ther Geriatr. 2011;29(4):287-299. doi:10.3109/02703181.2011.628064
52.
SabirMHendersonCRKangS-YPillemerK.Attachment-focused integrative reminiscence with older African Americans: a randomized controlled intervention study. Aging Ment Health. 2016;20(5):517-528. doi:10.1080/13607863.2015.1023764
53.
MohrDCSpringBFreedlandKE, et alThe selection and design of control conditions for randomized controlled trials of psychological interventions. Psychother Psychosom. 2009;78(5):275-284. doi:10.1159/000228248
54.
JettenJHaslamCHaslamSADingleGJonesJM.How groups affect our health and well-being: the path from theory to policy. Soc Issues Policy Rev. 2014;8(1):103-130. doi:10.1111/sipr.12003
KingDBCappeliezPCanhamSLO’RourkeN.Functions of reminiscence in later life: predicting change in the physical and mental health of older adults over time. Aging Ment Heal. 2019;23(2):246-254. doi:10.1080/13607863.2017.1396581
57.
O’RourkeNCappeliezPClaxtonA.Functions of reminiscence and the psychological well-being of young-old and older adults over time. Aging Ment Heal. 2011;15(2):272-281. doi:10.1080/13607861003713281
58.
SatorresEDelhomIMeléndezJC.Effects of a simple reminiscence intervention program on the reminiscence functions in older adults. Int Psychogeriatrics. 2021;33(6):557-566. doi:10.1017/S1041610220000174
59.
DebeerERaesFWilliamsJMGHermansD.Context-dependent activation of reduced autobiographical memory specificity as an avoidant coping style. Emotion. 2011;11(6):1500-1506. doi:10.1037/a0024535
60.
WilliamsJMGBarnhoferTCraneC, et alAutobiographical memory specificity and emotional disorder. Psychol Bull. 2007;133(1):122-148. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.133.1.122
61.
LiHTiwariRLiQH. Conditional borrowing external data to establish a hybrid control arm in randomized clinical trials. Jounral of Biopharmaceutical statistics. 2022;32(6):954-968. doi:10.1080/10543406.2021.2021227
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
