Reminiscence Therapy

Reminiscence therapy is a psychological and rehabilitative approach based on the recall and reprocessing of personal memories, with the goal of promoting psychological well-being, self-continuity, and emotional integration of life experiences. Originating in the field of psychogeriatrics, this therapy has proven particularly effective in treating depression in the elderly, even in cases with mild cognitive decline or neurodegenerative comorbidities.

Through storytelling, dialogue, or the use of evocative materials (photographs, objects, music, scents), patients are invited to revisit meaningful episodes from their lives, organizing them into a coherent narrative thread that strengthens personal identity, a sense of continuity, and the value of lived experiences.

The intervention can be carried out individually or in group settings, and is applicable in both outpatient and residential contexts. Unlike casual conversation, reminiscence therapy is based on a structured setting, with specific therapeutic goals and guided facilitation by trained psychologists, geriatricians, or educators.

Theoretical and Neuroscientific Foundations

Reminiscence therapy is grounded in psychodynamic, narrative, and cognitive models of aging. According to Erikson, the final stage of life involves the need to integrate one’s personal history, achieving a sense of completeness and acceptance. Memory recall allows for the resolution of unresolved conflicts, strengthens self-cohesion, and fosters a more conscious engagement with the present.

From a neuropsychological perspective, numerous studies show that autobiographical memory remains relatively preserved in older adults, even in the early stages of executive function decline. In particular, emotionally intense memories or those from the “identity peak” period (ages 10 to 30) are more readily accessible and can serve as a therapeutic resource.

The structured recall of memories activates limbic-frontal brain networks (especially the medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and medial temporal cortex), fostering connections between memory, affect, and self-concept. Furthermore, regular cycles of reminiscence therapy have been associated with lower cortisol levels and improved mood.

In short, recalling and sharing one's past is not merely a nostalgic act, but a psychobiological process with transformative and restorative value for the identity of the elderly.

Application Formats

Reminiscence therapy can be implemented in different formats depending on the therapeutic goals and care setting. The main modalities include:

• Simple reminiscence: based on free or themed memory recall for recreational, socialization, and cognitive stimulation purposes;
• Structured reminiscence: organized into a series of sessions with thematic focuses (childhood, school, work, relationships, historical events), led by a professional and aimed at emotional and identity reprocessing;
• Resolution-oriented reminiscence: focused on the processing of critical events, losses, or past conflicts, with deeper psychotherapeutic aims.

In depressive contexts, the most effective format is often the structured and guided approach, lasting between 6 and 12 weeks, with weekly sessions of 45–60 minutes. Well-conducted group settings also offer the added value of mirroring and social support.

Clinical Indications

Reminiscence therapy is indicated for various conditions typical of later life, including:

• Mild to moderate major depression in elderly individuals, even with somatic comorbidities;
• Dysthymia or subthreshold depressive symptoms, often underestimated but linked to functional decline and isolation;
• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage dementia, where it helps preserve autobiographical identity and reduce anxiety;
• Reactive depression related to bereavement, retirement, or loss of social role or autonomy;
• Depression in institutional settings (nursing homes, day centers), as a form of integrated stimulation and meaningful engagement.

It is particularly beneficial when spontaneous verbal expression is preserved but vitality, motivation, and future orientation are impaired. In such cases, biographical narration can reactivate a sense of value, continuity, and personal agency.

Evidence of Effectiveness

Numerous meta-analyses and controlled studies have documented the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy in reducing depressive symptoms in the elderly. A meta-analysis by Pinquart and Forstmeier (2012), including 128 studies, showed moderate but consistent effects on both mood and quality of life.

Clinical benefits have also been observed in:

• self-esteem and personal identity;
• cognitive functioning (especially autobiographical memory);
• a sense of belonging and social connectedness;
• perceived stress and anticipatory anxiety levels.

Positive effects have also been seen in caregivers, due to improved relational tone and emotional communication. The therapy has shown high tolerability, good participation rates, and low drop-out.

Final Considerations

Reminiscence therapy is an accessible, versatile, and well-tolerated clinical tool, particularly suitable for managing depression in older adults. Its value lies in its ability to reconnect individuals with their own life story, reactivating emotions, meanings, and a sense of belonging often eroded by depressive illness.

In an integrated therapeutic perspective, reminiscence offers patients not just a narrative, but the possibility of rewriting their life experience through a lens of resilience, restoring meaning, continuity, and dignity to their personal journey.

Bibliography
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