Effectiveness of high-frequency individual reminiscence interventions using life story books on persons with dementia

Abstract

Introduction Reminiscence therapy, using life story books, is a non-pharmacological treatment and helps promote psychosocial benefits in people with dementia. This research thus aimed to determine the effects of life story books among participants with dementia of different severities. Method The experimental group ( n = 36) underwent three semi-structured interviews over 10 weeks. After a 2-week life story books-production interval, the experimental group received the intervention over 4 weeks, five times weekly. The following 12 weeks were the follow-up period. The control group ( n = 30) underwent the first and last assessments, with a 6-month interval, while receiving their usual care services. Results Participants’ cognitive functioning was mostly maintained at follow-up in the experimental group, but significantly declined in the control group. The experimental group showed no significant change in cognition among participants with severe dementia during all periods, assessed using the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and the caregivers’ burden decreased significantly from before to after the intervention. Conclusion These results demonstrate that life story book interventions are an effective tool in improving the relationship between caregivers and people with dementia, and could help people with dementia maintain cognitive function, even those with severe dementia.

Supporting the couple relationship following dementia diagnosis: A scoping review

“…Reminiscence therapy has gradually become more prominent since the 1970s and is now one of the most popular non‐pharmacological interventions, designed to stimulate memory function for persons with dementia (Asano et al, 2021 ). However, the outcomes of reminiscence for the couple's relationship have been mixed.…”

The Effects of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention for Individuals with Dementia: Meta-Analysis

“…기타 치매로 다양한 편이었으며, 경도부터 심도의 중증도를 보이는 환자가 포함되었다. 몇몇 연구에서는 치매의 세부 유형과 중증도를 밝히지 않았다(i.e.,Asano, Wang, Tsugaruya, & Ishikawa, 2021;Haight et al, 2006;Lai et al, 2004). 환 자의 연령은 평균 85.18 (min= 50, max = 99)년이고 평균 교육연수 는 8.18 (min= 2.4, max =13.16)년이었다.…”