Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Study protocol

The effects of reminiscence therapy on depressive symptoms of Chinese elderly: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Ting-ji Chen, Hui-jie Li, Juan Li

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders with a high prevalence among the older adults. In recent years, after realizing some side effects of the antidepressants, non-pharmacological psychological treatments begin to attract accruing attention. Reminiscence therapy is one of the psychological treatments that specially designed for the elderly to improve their mental health status by recalling and assessing their existing memory. Though some studies indicate reminiscence therapy can be effective and beneficial for the mental health of elderly, the conclusions are not consistent yet. The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy for Chinese elderly.

Methods

Sixty older adults (≥60 years of age) with mild to moderate depression will be randomly assigned to an experimental or a control condition. The participants in the experiment group will receive the reminiscence therapy under the Watt’s protocol with adaptation to Chinese Culture which consists of six weekly sessions of 90 minutes each. The control group will be treated as before. An assessor who is blind to intervention will conduct the measures before treatment, after treatment immediately, and three months after treatment.

Discussion

This study will provide the evidence whether the reminiscence therapy is effective to treat depressive symptoms of Chinese elderly. This research has been registered in the clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01553669).
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
2.
3.
Yu J, Li J, Cuijpers P, Wu S, Wu Z: Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults: a population-based study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2012, 27 (3): 305-312. 10.1002/gps.2721.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Steffens DC, Skoog I, Norton MC, Hart AD, Tschanz JT, Plassman BL, Wyse BW, Welsh-Bohmer KA, Breitner JCS: Prevalence of Depression and Its Treatment in an Elderly Population: The Cache County Study. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000, 57 (6): 601-607. 10.1001/archpsyc.57.6.601.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Greenberg PE, Stiglin LE, Finkelstein SN, Berndt ER: The economic burden of depression in 1990. J Clin Psychiatry. 1993, 54 (11): 405-418.PubMed
6.
Luppa M, Heinrich S, Angermeyer MC, Konig HH, Riedel-Heller SG: Cost-of-illness studies of depression: a systematic review. J Affect Disord. 2007, 98 (1–2): 29-43.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Jones ED, Beck-Little R: The use of reminiscence therapy for the treatment of depression in rural-dwelling older adults. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2002, 23 (3): 279-290. 10.1080/016128402753543018.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Watt LM: Integrative and instrumental reminiscence therapies for the treatment of depression in older adults. 1996, PhD thesis, Ottawa, Canada: University of Ottawa
9.
Steinbrueck SM, Maxwell SE, Howard GS: A meta-analysis of psychotherapy and drug therapy in the treatment of unipolar depression with adults. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1983, 51 (6): 856-863.CrossRefPubMed
10.
Robinson LA, Berman JS, Neimeyer RA: Psychotherapy for the treatment of depression: A comprehensive review of controlled outcome research. Psychol Bull. 1990, 108 (1): 30-49.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Clancy CM, Bierman AS: Quality and outcomes of care for older women with chronic disease. WHI. 2000, 10 (4): 178-191.PubMed
12.
13.
Kikuchi T, Uchida H, Suzuki T, Watanabe K, Kashima H: Patients’ attitudes toward side effects of antidepressants: An Internet survey. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2011, 261 (2): 103-109. 10.1007/s00406-010-0124-z.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Dobson KS: A meta-analysis of the efficacy of cognitive therapy for depression. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1989, 57 (3): 414-419.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Koder D-A, Brodaty H, Anstey KJ: Cognitive therapy for depression in the elderly. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 1996, 11 (2): 97-107. 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1166(199602)11:2<97::AID-GPS310>3.0.CO;2-W.CrossRef
16.
Feng CY, Chu H, Chen CH, Chang YS, Chen TH, Chou YH, Chang YC, Chou KR: The effect of cognitive behavioral group therapy for depression: A meta‐analysis 2000–2010. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2012, 9 (1): 2-17. 10.1111/j.1741-6787.2011.00229.x.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Bell AC, D'Zurilla TJ: Problem-solving therapy for depression: A meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2009, 29 (4): 348-353. 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.02.003.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Mufson L, Weissman MM, Moreau D, Garfinkel R: Efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999, 56 (6): 573-579. 10.1001/archpsyc.56.6.573.CrossRefPubMed
19.
de Mello MF, de Jesus Mari J, Bacaltchuk J, Verdeli H, Neugebauer R: A systematic review of research findings on the efficacy of interpersonal therapy for depressive disorders. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2005, 255 (2): 75-82. 10.1007/s00406-004-0542-x.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Hsieh HF, Wang JJ: Effect of reminiscence therapy on depression in older adults: a systematic review. Int J Nurs Stud. 2003, 40 (4): 335-345. 10.1016/S0020-7489(02)00101-3.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Richard G, Philip Z: Psychology and life (19th ed). 2009, Allyn & Bacon, United States
22.
Kovach CR, Knapp TR: Age, cohort, and time-period confounds in aging research. J Gerontol Nurs. 1989, 15 (3): 11-15.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Atchley RC: A Continuity Theory of Normal Aging. Gerontologist. 1989, 29 (2): 183-190. 10.1093/geront/29.2.183.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Haight BK, Dias JK: Examining Key Variables in Selected Reminiscing Modalities. Int Psychogeriatr. 1992, 4 (04): 279-290.PubMed
25.
Watt LM, Cappeliez P: Integrative and instrumental reminiscence therapies for depression in older adults: Intervention strategies and treatment effectiveness. Aging Ment Health. 2000, 4 (2): 166-177. 10.1080/13607860050008691.CrossRef
26.
Fry PS: Structured and Unstructured Reminiscence Training and Depression among the Elderly. Clin Gerontologist. 1983, 1 (3): 15-37. 10.1300/J018v01n03_06.CrossRef
27.
Watt LM, Wong PT: A taxonomy of reminiscence and therapeutic implications. J Gerontol Soc Work. 1991, 16 (1–2): 37-57.CrossRef
28.
Arean PA, Perri MG, Nezu AM, Schein RL, Christopher F, Joseph TX: 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.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Goldwasser AN, Auerbach SM, Harkins SW: Cognitive, affective, and behavioral effects of reminiscence group therapy on demented elderly. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 1987, 25 (3): 209-222. 10.2190/8UX8-68VC-RDYF-VK4F.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Youssef FA: The impact of group reminiscence counseling on a depressed elderly population. Nurse Pract. 1990, 15 (4): 32-35–38.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Jones ED: Reminiscence therapy for older women with depression. Effects of nursing intervention classification in assisted-living long-term care. J Gerontol Nurs. 2003, 29 (7): 26-33. quiz 56–57CrossRefPubMed
32.
Bohlmeijer E, Valenkamp M, Westerhof G, Smit F, Cuijpers P: Creative reminiscence as an early intervention for depression: Results of a pilot project. Aging Ment Health. 2005, 9 (4): 302-304. 10.1080/13607860500089567.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Hsieh C-J, Chang C, Su S-F, Hsiao Y-L, Shih Y-W, Han W-H, Lin C-C: Reminiscence Group Therapy on Depression and Apathy in Nursing Home Residents With Mild-to-moderate Dementia. JECM. 2010, 2 (2): 72-78.
34.
Capps HE: A comparison of the effects of life review and reminiscence group counseling on depression, life satisfaction and self-esteem of older persons. 1998, PhD thesis, Michigan,United States.: Wayne State University
35.
Van Puyenbroeck J, Maes B: The Effect of Reminiscence Group Work on Life Satisfaction, Self-Esteem and Mood of Ageing People with Intellectual Disabilities. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2009, 22 (1): 23-33. 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2008.00434.x.CrossRef
36.
Bohlmeijer E, Roemer M, Cuijpers P, Smit F: The effects of reminiscence on psychological well-being in older adults: A meta-analysis. Aging Ment Health. 2007, 11 (3): 291-300. 10.1080/13607860600963547.CrossRefPubMed
37.
Bohlmeijer E, Kramer J, Smit F, Onrust S, van Marwijk H: The effects of integrative reminiscence on depressive symptomatology and mastery of older adults. Community Ment Health J. 2009, 45 (6): 476-484. 10.1007/s10597-009-9246-z.CrossRefPubMed
38.
Pearson L: The effect of integrative reminiscence on depression, ego integrity and personal mastery in the elderly. 2006, PhD thesis, California, United States. Alliant International University, San Francisco Bay
39.
Chiang K-J, Chu H, Chang H-J, Chung M-H, Chen C-H, Chiou H-Y, Chou K-R: The effects of reminiscence therapy on psychological well-being, depression, and loneliness among the institutionalized aged. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2010, 25 (4): 380-388. 10.1002/gps.2350.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Liu S, Lin C, Chen Y, Huang X: The Effects of Reminiscence Group Therapy on Self-esteem, Depression, Loneliness and Life Satisfaction of Elderly People Living Alone. Mid Taiwan J Med. 2007, 12 (3): 133-142.
41.
Bohlmeijer E, Smit F, Cuijpers P: Effects of reminiscence and life review on late-life depression: a meta-analysis. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2003, 18 (12): 1088-1094. 10.1002/gps.1018.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Chao SY, Liu HY, Wu CY, Jin SF, Chu TL, Huang TS, Clark MJ: The effects of group reminiscence therapy on depression, self esteem, and life satisfaction of elderly nursing home residents. J Nurs Res. 2006, 14 (1): 36-45. 10.1097/01.JNR.0000387560.03823.c7.CrossRefPubMed
43.
Stinson CK, Kirk E: Structured reminiscence: an intervention to decrease depression and increase self-transcendence in older women. J Clin Nurs. 2006, 15 (2): 208-218. 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2006.01292.x.CrossRefPubMed
44.
Lopez MN, Quan NM, Carvajal PM: A Psychometric Study of the Geriatric Depression Scale. Eur J Psychol Assess. 2010, 26 (1): 55-60. 10.1027/1015-5759/a000008.CrossRef
45.
Yesavage JA, Brink TL, Rose TL, Lum O, Huang V, Adey M, Leirer VO: Development and validation of a geriatric depression screening scale: A preliminary report. J Psychiatr Res. 1982, 17 (1): 37-49. 10.1016/0022-3956(82)90033-4.CrossRefPubMed
46.
Fleming JS, Courtney BE: The dimensionality of self-esteem: II. Hierarchical facet model for revised measurement scales. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1984, 46 (2): 404-421.
47.
Shen ZL, Cai TS: Disposal to the 8th Item of Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Chinese Version) (in Chinese). Chin Ment Health J. 2008, 22 (9): 661-663.
48.
Tian L: A limit of Rosenberg self-esteem scale in Chinese edition (in Chinese). Psychol Explor. 2006, 26 (2): 88-91.
49.
Neugarten BL, Havighurst RJ, Tobin SS: The measurement of life satisfaction. J Gerontol. 1961, 16: 134-143.CrossRefPubMed
50.
Russell D, Peplau LA, Cutrona CE: The revised UCLA Loneliness Scale: Concurrent and discriminant validity evidence. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1980, 39 (3): 472-480.CrossRefPubMed
51.
Russell DW: UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): Reliability, Validity, and Factor Structure. J Pers Assess. 1996, 66 (1): 20-40. 10.1207/s15327752jpa6601_2.CrossRefPubMed
52.
Cohen J: Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. 1988, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, New Jersey
53.
Zhou W, He G, Gao J, Yuan Q, Feng H, Zhang CK: The effects of group reminiscence therapy on depression, self-esteem, and affect balance of Chinese community-dwelling elderly. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2012, 54 (3): e440-e447. 10.1016/j.archger.2011.12.003.CrossRefPubMed
54.
Shi L, Wang HZ, Zhao JB: The effect of reminiscence therapy on depressive symptom among the institutionalized aged (in Chinese). J Nurs Care. 2007, 22 (9): 9-10.
Metadata
Title
The effects of reminiscence therapy on depressive symptoms of Chinese elderly: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Ting-ji Chen
Hui-jie Li
Juan Li
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-12-189

Other articles of this Issue 1/2012

BMC Psychiatry 1/2012 Go to the issue

Research article

Prevalence rate, predictors and long-term course of probable posttraumatic stress disorder after major trauma: a prospective cohort study

Research article

Vitamin D status of psychiatric inpatients in New Zealand’s Waikato region

Research article

Family functioning in the aftermath of a natural disaster

Research article

Predictors of the short-term responder rate of Electroconvulsive therapy in depressive disorders - a population based study

Research article

The association between expressed emotion, illness severity and subjective burden of care in relatives of patients with schizophrenia. Findings from an Italian population

Research article

Depression, suicidal ideation, and associated factors: a cross-sectional study in rural Haiti