Usefulness of reminiscence therapy for community mental health

Abstract

Reminiscence therapy workshops for health-care professionals (total, n = 105: four trainees in their 20, seven in their 30s, 13 in their 40s, 30 in their 50s, 41 in their 60, five in their 70s, one in their 80s, and four of unknown age) were held, and group work with reminiscence therapy was provided to local residents (total, n = 151; mean age, 73.6 ± 10.6 years). Comparison of pre- and post-workshop questionnaires showed that rates of interest and understanding of trainees increased after the workshop. Concerning group work, 89.2% of the participants felt that reminiscence therapy would prove helpful in their life. Reminiscence therapy may be useful in improving mental health in local residents. © 2012 Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.