J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2025 Nov 5:105978. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2025.105978. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Cognitive impairment has become a significant global public health challenge. Reminiscence therapy is a promising nonpharmacologic intervention, but its impact on people with cognitive impairment and their caregivers remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy on cognitive function, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and caregiver burden among people living with cognitive impairment.
DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Adults with cognitive impairment and their caregivers.
METHODS: Six databases were systematically searched from inception to April 25, 2024. Randomized controlled trials using reminiscence therapy among people living with cognitive impairment were included. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model, followed by subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis.
RESULTS: Twenty-six studies involving 2766 participants were included. The pooled results revealed that reminiscence therapy improved cognitive function (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.74; 95% CI, 0.40-1.08), depressive symptoms (SMD, -0.36; 95% CI, -0.63 to -0.10), and quality of life (SMD, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.12-0.61) in people living with cognitive impairment. However, reminiscence therapy did not reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia or caregiver burden. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the consistency of the findings.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that reminiscence therapy holds promise as an adjunct approach in cognitive impairment care. However, further research is needed to better understand its effects on caregivers to guide its safe and effective implementation.
PMID:41205999 | DOI:10.1016/j.jamda.2025.105978
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