title: Reminiscence and dementia: a therapeutic intervention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dementia is a significant public health problem. One non-pharmacological therapy that has shown its effectiveness is reminiscence, which is a psychological intervention designed to address issues of particular relevance to older adults. The aim of this study was to examine the benefits of an integrative reminiscence program in elderly people with dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quasi-experimental design and purposeful sampling were conducted at two retirement homes. Forty-two elderly adults with dementia were studied to measure the effect of the therapy (23 in the experimental group and 19 in the control group). The treatment group activity was held in 10 sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment group significantly improved their depressive symptoms and self-acceptance, positive relations with others, autonomy, and environmental mastery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides support for the effectiveness of integrative reminiscence therapy (RT) as an intervention in people with dementia, especially in reducing depressive symptoms and improving psychological well-being, with the therapy being effective on personal and emotional variables.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology,University of Valencia,Av. Blasco Ibañez,21,Valencia 46010,Spain.
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Psychology,Faculty of Psychology,University of Valencia,Av. Blasco Ibañez,21,Valencia 46010,Spain.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mayordomo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology,University of Valencia,Av. Blasco Ibañez,21,Valencia 46010,Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Psychology,Faculty of Psychology,University of Valencia,Av. Blasco Ibañez,21,Valencia 46010,Spain.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sales
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Psychology,Faculty of Psychology,University of Valencia,Av. Blasco Ibañez,21,Valencia 46010,Spain.
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Meléndez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*
keywords: dementia; depression; reminiscence; well-being