Metasynthesis of Patients' Perspectives about Reminiscence in Dementia Care

The mediating role of religion and loneliness on the association between reminiscence functions and depression: a call to advance older adults' mental health

BACKGROUND

Current literature lacks evidence about the relationship between reminiscence functions and depression and the mediating role of clinical constructs such as loneliness and religion. The study aimed to examine the mediating effects of loneliness and religion on the association between reminiscence functions and depression in a sample of older Jordanian adults.

METHODS

An anonymous online cross-sectional survey was employed to collect data from 365 older Jordanian adults. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to recruit participants through social media.

RESULTS

In the depression model, Bitterness Revival and Intimacy Maintenance factors, educational level, and Intrinsic Religiosity were statistically significant predictors of depression. Bitterness Revival and Intimacy Maintenance factors, work sector, and Intrinsic Religiosity were statistically significant predictors of loneliness. Loneliness has a negative, partial mediating effect on Intimacy Maintenance and depression.

CONCLUSION

Depression caused by significant losses in the Arab Jordanian environment might be mitigated by Intimacy Maintenance by reducing feelings of loneliness. Understanding how Intimacy Maintenance correlates with depression through loneliness could help psychiatric nurses develop psychosocial interventions that reduce depression among older adults.

The Efficacy of Reminiscence Therapy in Cancer-Related Symptom Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

At present, simple reminiscence has been widely used in the field of neurocognitive disorders, life review/life review therapy has been widely used in the field of cancer, and both simple reminiscence and life review/life review therapy are suitable for psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. However, the efficacy of reminiscence in treating cancer-related symptom has not been fully assessed.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of reminiscence therapy (RT) on relieving cancer-related symptoms such as anxiety and depression in cancer survivals.

METHODS

China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Biomedical Database, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, EBSCO, Scopus, and Ovid databases were searched. To collect clinical randomized controlled trials (RCT) on RT and cancer-related studies published from the establishment of the database to October 05, 2021. Two researchers independently evaluated the articles that met the inclusion criteria, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software.

RESULTS

A total of 20 RCTs published in 2010 to 2021 were included, with a total of 1853 cancer patients. Meta-analysis results showed that the anxiety scale (HADS-A and HAMA and SAS) and depression scale (HADS-D and HAMD and SDS) scores of the RT group were significantly lower than those of the control group (HADS-A: P = .0002; HAMA: P < .00001; SAS: P = .0010; HADS-D: P = .01; HAMD: P < .00001; SDS: P = .0001). Meta-analysis results showed that RT can improve overall quality of life of cancer patients of RT group to a certain extent hope (P < .00001). Meta-analysis results showed that the scores on the hope and dignity were significantly increased, and the difference were statistically significant (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

This review indicates that RT has significant efficacy on cancer-related symptoms such as anxiety and depression. RT for cancer survivals can effectively improve quality of life, self-hope, and self-esteem. The findings of this meta-analysis can provide direction for future symptom management research.

The use of digital touch screen technology to deliver reminiscence therapy among people with dementia in Jordanian care homes: a mixed-method feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Using technology to deliver psychosocial interventions such as reminiscence therapy (RT) to people with dementia may improve their mental health. Yet, establishing the feasibility of digital interventions in low- to middle-income countries is still in the early stages. This study aimed to: (i) determine the feasibility of using digital touch screen technology to deliver RT among people with dementia living in Jordanian care homes; and (ii) compare study outcomes pre- and post-reminiscence sessions to investigate whether specific outcomes are sensitive to change and explore the acceptability and experiences of the intervention.

METHODS

A pragmatic mixed-method study design was implemented. Sixty residents with dementia were recruited from two Jordanian care homes (Site 1: n = 35; Site 2: n = 10). A process evaluation was conducted alongside a single-group pre-post-intervention study. The intervention involved 10 supported RT sessions of up to 1 h each, delivered over 5 weeks. Feasibility was determined by assessing the rate of recruitment, adherence, retention, data completion, implementation fidelity, and adverse events. Qualitative semi-structured interview questions were used to explore experience and acceptability, and data were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

Response rate was 100%; loss to follow up at post-intervention was 25%. Median session attendance for those who received the intervention was 80%. No serious adverse events were reported. A positive, statistically significant and clinically relevant difference was found in all outcome measures before and after reminiscence sessions. Qualitative findings suggest that digital RT intervention is generally well accepted by people with dementia who reported positive changes, including enhanced communication and cognitive abilities.

CONCLUSION

Using digital touch screen technology to deliver RT is feasible and acceptable among people with dementia in Jordanian care homes. Digital RT intervention is a promising approach to improving mental health and communication for people living with dementia.