Abstract
The main objective for this study is to analyze the impact of a positive reminiscence therapy program (REMPOS) in cognitive functioning and depressive symptomatology for older adults in different vital situations (healthy aging, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease).
This is a transcultural comparative study (older people from Spain and Mexico). A randomized design with pre-posttest measurement and twelve groups was formulated, during a period of six months of intervention (3 in Mexico and 3 in Spain). The design had: 6 experimental groups with REMPOS intervention (3 in Mexico and 3 in Spain) during a period of six months and 6 control groups that received cognitive stimulation.
While a key aspect of this study is the cross-cultural differences, an important part is to determine whether each experimental group had similar results in terms of the change in magnitude between the pre and post analysis. In general, intervention significantly improved cognitive function and decreased depressive symptoms.
These findings provide further evidence about the efficacy of the REMPOS therapy between different types of aging and both geographical and cultural contexts (Spain and Mexico).
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
References
Afonso, R., & Bueno, B. (2010). Reminiscencia con distintos tipos de recuerdos autobiográficos: Efectos sobre la reducción de la sintomatología depresiva en la vejez. Psicothema, 22(2), 213–220.
Afonso, R. M., Bueno, B., Loureiro, M. J., & Pereira, H. (2011). Reminiscence, psychological well-being, and ego integrity in portuguese elderly people. Educational Gerontology, 37(12), 1063–1080. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2010.500585.
Afonso, R. M., Serrano, J. P., & Latorre, J. M. (2015). Reminiscence. In N. A. Pachana (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Geropsychology (pp. 1–8). Springer.
Akdağ, S., Korkmaz, B., Tiftik, T., & Uzer, T. (2023). Ruminative reminiscence predicts COVID–related stress symptoms while reflective reminiscence and social reminiscence predict post–COVID growth. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04750-7. Published online.
Armitage, R., & Nellums, L. B. (2020). COVID-19 and the consequences of isolating the elderly. The Lancet Public Health, 5(5), E256. https://doi.org/10.1116/S24682667(20)30061-X.
Berg-Weger, M., & Morley, J. E. (2020). Loneliness in old age: An unaddressed health problem. Nutrition Health & Aging, 24, 243–245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-020-1323-6.
Cabaco, A. S. (2016). La cognición instruccional positiva para promover hábitos saludables en adultos mayores ¿una propuesta para la década del envejecimiento activo? In A. S. Cabaco (Coord.), Guía práctica de memoria (págs. 13–22). UPSA.
Cabaco, A. S. (Ed.). (2019). Los niveles de cognición instruccional positiva. Programa de reminiscencia CIP-CETYS para optimizar el bienestar en adultos mayores. Editorial del CETYS Universidad.
Camacho-Conde, J. A., & Galán-López, J. M. (2021). The relationship between depression and cognitive deterioration in elderly persons. Psicologia: Teoria e Pesquisa, 37, https://doi.org/10.1590/0102.3772e37413.
Cappeliez, P., & O’Rourke, N. (2006). Empirical validation of a model of reminiscence and health in later life. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences, 61(4), 237–244. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/61.4.P237.
Chen, L. K. (2020). Older adults and COVID-19 pandemic: Resilience matters. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 89, 104–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2020.104124.
Ching, Y., Ya, Y., Chia, L., & Hsiu, L. (2020). Effect of group reminiscence therapy on depression and perceived meaning of life of veterans diagnosed with dementia at veteran homes. Social Work in Health Care, 59(2), 75–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2019.1710320.
Dahlberg, L., Andersson, L., & Lennartsson, C. (2018). Long-term predictors of loneliness in old age: Results of a 20-year national study. Aging and Mental Health, 22(2), 190–196. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2016.1247425.
Dempsey, L., Murphy, K., Cooney, A., Casey, D., O´Shea, E., Devane, D., Jordan, F., & Hunter, A. (2014). Reminiscence in dementia: A concept analysis. Dementia, 13(2), 176–192. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301212456277.
Eurostat (2020). Distribution of population aged 65 and over by type of household - EU-SILC survey [ilc_lvps30]. https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_lvps30=en.
Fernández, D., Ros, L., Escribano, F., & Serrano, J. P. (2020). Reminiscence, personality, coping and mood state in institutionalized older adults: A cross-sectional study. Psychogeriatrics, 20(3), 310–320. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyg.12500.
Fernández, J. A. M., Fernández, I. A. M., Cervantes, A. L. C., Obregón, R. T., Leura, D. S., & Montelongo, D. C. (2021). Percepción de la vejez y la persona adulta mayor en niños del sur de México. Index de Enfermería, 34–38.
Fernández-Mateos, L. M., Cabaco, A. S., Alvelais, M., & Mejía, M. (2022). Intervención con adultos mayores institucionalizados para mejorar el bienestar y la felicidad. Cauriensia, 17, 151–170. https://doi.org/10.17398/2340-4256.17.151.
Frankl, V. (1984). El discurso acerca del sentido de la vida. Avances en Psicología, 17(1), 35–58.
Gallego, M. L., Ferrándiz, M. H., Garriga, O. T., Nierga, I. P., López-Pousa, S., & Franch, J. V. (2009). Validación del Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): Test de cribado para el deterioro cognitivo leve. Datos preliminares. Alzheimer Realidades e Investigación en Demencia, 43, 4–11.
González, N. S., Cabaco, A. S., Litago, J. D., & Rueda, A. V. (2019). Aplicación de técnicas de estimulación cognitiva en envejecimiento utilizando TIC: Estudio de caso. Neurama Revista de Psicogerontología, 6(1), 40–47.
González-Arévalo, K. A. (2015). Terapia de reminiscencia y sus efectos en los pacientes mayores con demencia. Psicogeriatría, 5(3), 101–111.
Grande, J. A. A., Castañeda, R. F. G., & Oviedo, A. D. (2021). Significados atribuidos al envejecimiento saludable por los adultos mayores de la ciudad de Mexicali, Baja California, México. Paraninfo Digital, e33107d-e33107d.
Hofer, J., Busch, H., Au, A., Poláčková, I., Tavel, P., & Tsien, T. (2020). Reminiscing to teach others and prepare for death is associated with meaning in life through generative behavior in elderlies from four cultures. Aging and Mental Health, 24(5), 811–819. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2018.154856.
Huang, H. C., Chen, Y. T., Chen, P. Y., Huey-Lan Hu, S., Liu, F., Kuo, Y. L., & Chiu, H. Y. (2015). Reminiscence therapy improves cognitive functions and reduces depressive symptoms in elderly people with dementia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 16(12), 1087–1094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2015.07.010.
INE (2020). Proyecciones de Población 2020–2070. https://www.ine.es/prensa/pp_2020_2070.pdf.
Justo-Henriques, S. I., Pérez-Sáez, E., & Alves Apóstolo, J. L. (2020). Individual intervention protocol based on reminiscence therapy for older people with neurocognitive disorders. Revista de Enfermagem Referência, 5(3), https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2021.1871962.
Khait, A. A., & Shellman, J. (2020). Uses of reminiscence in Dementia Care. Innovation in Aging, 4(1), 287. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaa057.919.
Khait, A. A., Reagan, L., y, & Shellman, J. (2021). Uses of reminiscence intervention to address the behavioral and psychosocial problems associated with dementia: an integrative review. Geriatric Nursing, 42 (3), 756–766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.03.021.
Kim, K., & Lee, J. (2019). Effects of Reminiscence Therapy on depressive symptoms in older adults with dementia: A systematic review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 49(3), 225–240. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2019.49.3.225.
Kirk, M., Rasmussen, K. W., Overgaard, S. B., & Berntsen, D. (2019). Five weeks of immersive reminiscence therapy improves autobiographical memory in Alzheimer’s disease. Memory (Hove, England), 27(4), 441–454. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2018.1515960.
Koompai, S., & Royer, J. (2022). How do national cultures affect quality of life in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic? Emerging Science Journal, 6, 15–32. https://doi.org/10.28991/esj-2022-SPER-02.
Lobo, A., LóPez-Antón, R., De-La-CÁmara, C., Quintanilla, M., Campayo, A., & Saz, P. (2008). Non-cognitive psychopathological symptoms associated with incident mild cognitive impairment and dementia, Alzheimer’s type. Neurotoxicity Research, 14(2), 263–272. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03033815.
Moon, S., & Park, K. (2020). The effect of digital reminiscence therapy on people with dementia: A pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatrics, 20, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01563-2.
O’ Philbin, L., Woods, B., Farrell, E. M., Spector, A. E., & Orrell, M. (2018). Reminiscence therapy for dementia: An abridged Cochrane systematic review of the evidence from randomized controlled trials. Expert Review Neurotherapeutics, 18(9), 715–727. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737175.2018.1509709.
Park, K., Lee, S., Yang, J., Song, T., & Hong, G. S. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of reminiscence therapy for people with dementia. International Psychogeriatrics, 31(11), 1581–1597. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610218002168.
Pino, M. B., & Escárcega, M. V. (2016). Abordaje no farmacológico de las demencias. Archivos de Neurociencias, 95.
Prieto, P., Wobbeking, M., López-Bañuelos, A., Cabaco, A. S., & Urchaga, J. (2021). Actitudes negativas hacia la vejez: Un estudio comparativo entre México y España. Enseñanza e Investigación en Psicología, 3(1), 101–110.
Salazar-Villanea, M. (2020). Narrativa autobiográfica y reminiscencias en costarricenses con Alzheimer. Revista Signos, 53(102), 219–241. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-09342020000100219.
Santacreu, M., Bustillos, A., & Fernandez-Ballesteros, R. (2016). Multidimensional/Multisystems/ multinature indicators of quality of Life: Cross-cultural evidence from Mexico and Spain. Social Indicators Research, 126, 467–482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-0906-9.
Schade, N., Vásquez, C. P., Poblete, C. G., & Cabaco, A. S. (2021). Pilot application of a positive reminiscence program for institutionalized older people. Revista Chilena de Neuro-Psiquiatria, 59(3), 176–184. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92272021000300176.
Seligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press.
Serrano, J. (2002). Entrenamiento de memoria autobiográfica sobre eventos positivos específicos en ancianos con síntomas depresivos [Tesis Doctoral, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha]. http://hdl.handle.net/10578/903.
Serrat, R., Chacur-Kiss, K., & Villar, F. (2021). Breaking the win-win narrative: The dark side of older people’s political participation. Journal of Aging Studies, 56, 100911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2021.100911.
Sundstrom, A., Adolfsson, A. N., Nordin, M., y, & Adolfsson, R. (2020). Loneliness increases the risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’sdisease. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 75, 919–926. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbz139.
Thomas, J. M., & Sezgin, D. (2021). 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, 42(6), 1497–1506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.10.014.
Van Bogaert, P., Tolson, D., Eerlingen, R., Carvers, D., Wouters, K., Paque, K., Timmermans, O., Dilles, T., & Engelborghs, S. (2016). SolCos model-based individual reminiscence for older adults with mild to moderate dementia in nursing homes: A randomized controlled intervention study. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 23(9–10), 568–575. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12336.
Villar, F., & Serrat, R. (2017). Hable con ellos: Cuidados narrativos en el marco de una atención centrada en la persona. Revista Española de Geriatría y Gerontología, 52(4), 216–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regg.2016.06.004.
Villasán, R. A. (2017). Reminiscencia positiva en el adulto mayor con deterioro cognitivo leve [Tesis doctoral]. Universidad de Sevilla.
Villasán, R. A. (2019). Eficacia de la terapia de reminiscencia positiva en el envejecimiento saludable y patológico: un estudio en población mexicana y española (Tesis doctoral). Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca.
Villasán, R., Cabaco, A., Mejía, A. S., Justo-Henriques, R. A., S. I., & Carvalho, J. O. (2021). Improvement of quality of life in aging by stimulating autobiographical memory. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(14), 3168. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10143168.
Woods, B., Spector, A., Jones, C., Orrell, M., & Davies, S. (2005). Reminiscence therapy for dementia. Cochrane Database Systematic Revision. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001120.
World Health Organization (OMS) (2022, October 1). Ageing and health. Key facts. Retrieved January 7, 2020, from https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
Yesavage, J. A., Brink, T. L., Rose, T. L., Lum, O., Huang, V., Adey, M., & Leirer, V. O. (1982). Development and validation of a geriatric depression screening scale: A preliminary report. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 17(1), 37–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3956(82)90033-4.
Zhou, X. (2020). Psychological crisis interventions in Sichuan Province during the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak. Psychiatry Research, 286, 112895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Villasán-Rueda, A., Sánchez-Cabaco, A., Mejía-Ramírez, M. et al. Transcultural Pilot Study of the Efficacy of Reminiscence Therapy for Mexican and Spanish Older Adults with Different Levels of Cognitive Decline. J Cross Cult Gerontol 38, 371–388 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-023-09486-2
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-023-09486-2