Reminiscence Therapy for Dementia

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2020 Mar;41(3):265-266. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2019.1654572. Epub 2019 Nov 12.

Abstract

Reminiscence therapy has shown to be an effective treatment that supports people with dementia. The objective of this review article was to assess the effects of reminiscence therapy (RT) on people living with dementia. The authors searched for randomised, controlled trials in which RT was compared with no treatment or with a non-specific activity. The authors concluded that there is some evidence that RT can improve quality of life, cognition, communication and possibly mood in people with dementia in some circumstances, although all the benefits were small. Further research is needed to understand these differences and to find out who is likely to benefit most from what type of RT.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dementia / complications
  • Dementia / psychology
  • Dementia / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Mental Recall*