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. 2018 Mar 1;2018(3):CD001120. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001120.pub3

Comparison 1. Reminiscence therapy versus no treatment.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Self‐reported quality of life post‐treatment 8 1060 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.11 [‐0.12, 0.33]
1.1 SR‐QoL (care home) 1 88 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.45 [0.03, 0.88]
1.2 QoL‐AD rated by person with dementia (care home) 2 105 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.47 [0.08, 0.86]
1.3 QoL‐AD rated by person with dementia (community) 5 867 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.09 [‐0.24, 0.06]
2 Proxy rated quality of life post‐treatment 5 763 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.35 [‐1.23, 1.94]
2.1 QoL‐AD rated by carer (community) 4 577 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.29 [‐1.75, 2.33]
2.2 QoL‐AD rated by carer (care home) 1 186 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.08 [‐1.33, 3.49]
3 Observed quality of life (post‐treatment) 2 154 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.00 [‐0.17, 0.18]
3.1 WIB (care home) 2 154 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.00 [‐0.17, 0.18]
4 Cognition post‐treatment 14   Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
4.1 MMSE (care home) 4 190 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.24 [‐0.05, 0.53]
4.2 MMSE (community) 5 247 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.20 [‐0.06, 0.47]
4.3 AMI‐PSS (care home) 2 40 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.55 [‐0.08, 1.19]
4.4 AMI‐PSS (community) 1 30 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.52 [‐0.21, 1.25]
4.5 AMI‐E‐PSS (community) 1 386 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.11 [‐0.09, 0.31]
4.6 AMI‐AIS (care home) 2 40 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.13 [‐0.52, 0.77]
4.7 AMI‐AIS (community) 1 30 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.76 [0.02, 1.51]
4.8 AMI‐E‐AIS (community) 1 386 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.05 [‐0.16, 0.25]
4.9 ADAS‐Cog (community) 1 326 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.09 [‐0.31, 0.12]
5 Cognition (overall) post‐treatment 14 1219 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.11 [0.00, 0.23]
5.1 MMSE (care home) 4 190 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.24 [‐0.05, 0.53]
5.2 MMSE (community) 5 247 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.20 [‐0.06, 0.47]
5.3 AMI‐PSS (care home) 2 40 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.55 [‐0.08, 1.19]
5.4 AMI‐PSS (community) 1 30 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.52 [‐0.21, 1.25]
5.5 AMI‐E‐PSS (community) 1 386 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.11 [‐0.09, 0.31]
5.6 ADAS‐Cog (community) 1 326 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.09 [‐0.31, 0.12]
6 Quality of caring relationship post‐treatment 3   Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
6.1 QCPR Warmth rated by person with dementia (care home) 1 23 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.39 [‐0.44, 1.21]
6.2 QCPR Warmth rated by person with dementia (community) 2 505 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.01 [‐0.17, 0.20]
6.3 QCPR conflict rated by person with dementia (care home) 1 23 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.67 [‐1.51, 0.18]
6.4 QCPR conflict rated by person with dementia (community) 2 500 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.04 [‐0.22, 0.14]
7 Communication and interaction post‐treatment 6 249 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.51 [‐0.97, ‐0.05]
7.1 Social Engagement Scale (care home) 2 154 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.13 [‐0.44, 0.19]
7.2 Communication Observation Scale for Cognitively Impaired (care home) 1 30 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐1.62 [‐2.46, ‐0.78]
7.3 Holden Communication Scale (community) 1 10 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.16 [‐1.51, 1.20]
7.4 MOSES Withdrawal subscale (community) 2 55 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.64 [‐1.18, ‐0.09]
8 Behaviour (function) post‐treatment 6 1030 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.24 [‐0.69, 0.21]
8.1 MDS‐ADL (care home) 1 66 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.04 [‐0.52, 0.45]
8.2 Functional Independence Measure (care home) 1 30 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.31 [‐0.41, 1.03]
8.3 ADL (care home) 1 88 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐1.83 [‐2.33, ‐1.33]
8.4 Bristol Activities of Daily Living Scale (community) 1 391 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.11 [‐0.09, 0.31]
8.5 ADCS‐ADL (community) 1 129 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.03 [‐0.41, 0.35]
8.6 DAD (community) 1 326 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.00 [‐0.22, 0.21]
9 Behaviour (agitation/irritability) post‐treatment 3 359 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.03 [‐0.17, 0.24]
9.1 Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory (care home) 1 304 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.09 [‐0.14, 0.31]
9.2 MOSES Irritability subscale (community) 2 55 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.26 [‐0.79, 0.27]
10 Mood‐related outcomes (depression) post‐treatment 10 973 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.03 [‐0.15, 0.10]
10.1 CSDD (care home) 3 147 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.18 [‐0.50, 0.15]
10.2 CSDD (community) 1 276 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.14 [‐0.38, 0.10]
10.3 Geriatric Depression Scale (care home) 1 23 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.08 [‐0.90, 0.74]
10.4 Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (care home) 1 17 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.53 [‐1.51, 0.44]
10.5 MOSES Depression subscale (community) 2 55 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.32 [‐0.85, 0.22]
10.6 HADS Depression (community) 1 129 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.11 [‐0.26, 0.49]
10.7 MADRS (community) 1 326 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.17 [‐0.05, 0.38]
11 Mood‐related outcomes (anxiety) post‐treatment 2 436 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.03 [‐0.22, 0.16]
11.1 HADS Anxiety (community) 1 129 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.03 [‐0.40, 0.35]
11.2 RAID (community) 1 307 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.03 [‐0.25, 0.20]
12 Carer outcomes (stress related to caring) post‐treatment 7 1155 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.03 [‐0.21, 0.14]
12.1 Zarit Burden Interview Short Form (care home) 1 88 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.61 [‐1.04, ‐0.19]
12.2 Zarit Burden Interview Short Form (community) 1 37 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.08 [‐0.73, 0.56]
12.3 Relatives Stress Scale (community) 2 385 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.46 [‐1.82, 0.90]
12.4 NPI (community) 1 129 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.11 [‐0.26, 0.49]
12.5 Modified Zarit Burden Interview ‐ care assistant (care home) 1 90 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.03 [‐0.38, 0.44]
12.6 Modified Zarit Burden Interview ‐ nurse report (care home) 1 100 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.08 [‐0.31, 0.47]
12.7 Zarit Burden Interview 1 326 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.08 [‐0.14, 0.30]
13 Carer outcomes (depression) post‐treatment 2 517 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.08 [‐0.59, 0.44]
13.1 HADS ‐ Depression (community) 2 517 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.08 [‐0.59, 0.44]
14 Carer outcomes (anxiety) post‐treatment 2 517 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.06 [‐0.54, 0.66]
14.1 HADS ‐ Anxiety (community) 2 517 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.06 [‐0.54, 0.66]
15 Carer outcomes (quality of life) post‐treatment 4 530 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.04 [‐0.22, 0.13]
15.1 GHQ‐12 carer (community) 2 47 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.23 [‐0.82, 0.36]
15.2 GHQ‐28 (community) 1 354 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.03 [‐0.18, 0.24]
15.3 SF Mental (community) 1 129 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.21 [‐0.59, 0.16]
16 Carer outcomes (quality of caring relationship) post‐treatment 3 1051 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.14 [‐0.67, 0.39]
16.1 QCPR Absence of conflict carer (care home) 1 23 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.20 [‐5.27, 4.87]
16.2 QCPR Absence of conflict carer (community) 2 500 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.27 [‐1.02, 0.48]
16.3 QCPR Warmth carer (care home) 1 23 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.2 [‐6.07, 3.67]
16.4 QCPR Warmth carer (community) 2 505 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.02 [‐0.75, 0.80]
17 Self‐reported quality of life at follow‐up 5 874 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.35 [‐0.11, 0.80]
17.1 SR‐QoL (care home) 1 88 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.48 [1.00, 1.95]
17.2 QoL‐AD rated by person with dementia (community) 4 786 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.01 [‐0.13, 0.15]
18 Proxy rated quality of life at follow‐up 3 505 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.15 [‐1.14, 0.83]
18.1 QoL‐AD rated by carer (community) 3 505 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.15 [‐1.14, 0.83]
19 Observed quality of life at follow‐up 2 154 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.40 [‐1.34, 0.54]
19.1 WIB (care home) 2 154 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.40 [‐1.34, 0.54]
20 Cognition follow‐up 9   Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
20.1 MMSE (care home) 1 66 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.31 [‐0.17, 0.80]
20.2 MMSE (community) 4 216 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.20 [‐0.08, 0.48]
20.3 AMI‐PSS (care home) 1 17 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.51 [‐0.46, 1.48]
20.4 AMI‐PSS (community) 1 30 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.55 [‐0.18, 1.28]
20.5 AMI‐E‐PSS (community) 1 328 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.04 [‐0.26, 0.18]
20.6 AMI‐AIS (care home) 1 17 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.25 [‐1.20, 0.71]
20.7 AMI‐AIS (community) 1 30 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.63 [‐0.11, 1.36]
20.8 AMI‐E‐AIS (community) 1 325 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.01 [‐0.21, 0.23]
20.9 ADAS‐Cog (community) 1 326 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.10 [‐0.32, 0.11]
21 Cognition (overall) at follow‐up 9 983 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.04 [‐0.09, 0.17]
21.1 MMSE (care home) 1 66 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.31 [‐0.17, 0.80]
21.2 MMSE (community) 4 216 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.20 [‐0.08, 0.48]
21.3 AMI‐PSS (care home) 1 17 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.51 [‐0.46, 1.48]
21.4 AMI‐PSS (community) 1 30 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.55 [‐0.18, 1.28]
21.5 AMI‐E‐PSS (community) 1 328 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.04 [‐0.26, 0.18]
21.6 ADAS‐Cog (community) 1 326 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.10 [‐0.32, 0.11]
22 Communication and interaction at follow‐up 4 204 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.49 [‐0.77, ‐0.21]
22.1 Social Engagement Scale (care home) 2 154 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.46 [‐0.79, ‐0.14]
22.2 MOSES withdrawal subscale (community) 2 50 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.56 [‐1.12, 0.01]
23 Quality of caring relationship at follow‐up 2   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
23.1 QCPR warmth rated by person with dementia (community) 2 415 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.25 [‐0.61, 1.11]
23.2 QCPR conflict rated by person with dementia (community) 2 409 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.38 [‐1.28, 0.51]
24 Behaviour (functional) at follow‐up 5 941 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.31 [‐0.66, 0.03]
24.1 MDS‐ADL (care home) 1 66 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.04 [‐0.53, 0.44]
24.2 ADL (care home) 1 88 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐1.29 [‐1.75, ‐0.82]
24.3 ADCS‐ADL (community) 1 119 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.14 [‐0.53, 0.25]
24.4 Bristol Activities of Daily Living Scale (community) 1 342 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.14 [‐0.35, 0.08]
24.5 DAD (community) 1 326 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.10 [‐0.32, 0.11]
25 Behaviour (agitation/irritability) at follow‐up 2 50 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.52 [‐4.07, 1.03]
25.1 MOSES Irritability subscale (community) 2 50 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.52 [‐4.07, 1.03]
26 Mood‐related outcomes (depression) at follow‐up 6 747 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.16 [‐0.43, 0.11]
26.1 Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (care home) 1 17 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐1.63 [‐2.77, ‐0.49]
26.2 CSDD (community) 1 235 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.17 [‐0.43, 0.09]
26.3 MOSES Depression subscale (community) 2 50 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.26 [‐0.82, 0.30]
26.4 HADS Depression (community) 1 119 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.09 [‐0.48, 0.30]
26.5 MADRS (community) 1 326 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.10 [‐0.11, 0.32]
27 Mood‐related outcomes (anxiety) at follow‐up 2 391 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.01 [‐0.20, 0.21]
27.1 RAID (community) 1 272 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.01 [‐0.25, 0.23]
27.2 HADS Anxiety (community) 1 119 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.05 [‐0.34, 0.44]
28 Carer outcomes (stress related to caring) at follow‐up 5 895 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.19 [‐0.54, 0.16]
28.1 Zarit Burden Interview Short Form (care home) 1 88 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐1.07 [‐1.51, ‐0.62]
28.2 Zarit Burden Interview Short Form (community) 1 35 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.08 [‐0.74, 0.59]
28.3 Relatives Stress Scale (community) 1 327 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.06 [‐0.28, 0.16]
28.4 NPI (community) 1 119 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.06 [‐0.33, 0.45]
28.5 Zarit Burden Interview (community) 1 326 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.10 [‐0.11, 0.32]
29 Carer outcomes (depression) at follow‐up 2 464 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.05 [‐0.71, 0.60]
29.1 HADS Depression (community) 2 464 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.05 [‐0.71, 0.60]
30 Carer outcomes (anxiety) at follow‐up 2 464 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.56 [‐0.17, 1.30]
30.1 HADS Anxiety (community) 2 464 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.56 [‐0.17, 1.30]
31 Carer outcomes (quality of life) at follow‐up 3 467 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.01 [‐0.18, 0.19]
31.1 GHQ‐12 (community) 1 35 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.11 [‐0.78, 0.55]
31.2 GHQ‐28 (community) 1 313 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.07 [‐0.15, 0.29]
31.3 SF Mental (community) 1 119 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.15 [‐0.54, 0.24]
32 Carer outcomes (quality of caring relationship) at follow‐up 2   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
32.1 QCPR Conflict (community) 2 495 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.37 [‐1.23, 0.50]
32.2 QCPR Warmth (community) 2 456 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.66 [‐1.59, 0.27]
33 Mood‐related outcomes (apathy) post‐treatment 1 326 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.40 [‐1.30, 4.10]
33.1 Apathy Index (carer rated) (community) 1 326 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.40 [‐1.30, 4.10]
34 Mood‐related outcomes (apathy) at follow‐up (community) 1 326 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.25 [‐1.89, 4.39]
34.1 Apathy Index (carer rated) (community) 1 326 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.25 [‐1.89, 4.39]