Digital Reminiscence Therapy for Alzheimer's in Institutionalized People

NCT ID: NCT06666075

Last Updated: 2025-08-15

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 72 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-01-20
• Study Completion Date: 2025-04-18

Brief Summary

Digital reminiscence therapy (DRT) is an innovative intervention designed to enhance the psychological health of institutionalized seniors with Alzheimer's disease. This approach utilizes digital tools to facilitate the sharing of personal memories and experiences, fostering social interaction and emotional engagement. By combining technology with therapeutic reminiscence techniques, DRT aims to stimulate cognitive function and improve mood, potentially alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression commonly observed in this population.

Research indicates that reminiscence therapy can lead to improvements in quality of life and overall well-being for individuals with dementia. The interactive nature of digital platforms encourages participation and allows caregivers to customize content based on the individual's preferences and history. As such, DRT not only serves to strengthen the connections between seniors and their pasts but also enhances their current social interactions, promoting a sense of identity and belonging. Overall, DRT represents a promising avenue for addressing the psychological needs of older adults with Alzheimer's in institutional settings, highlighting the potential benefits of integrating technology into therapeutic practices.

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: TRIPLE

Study Groups

Control Group

The control group will not participate in the physical or cognitive exercise intervention but will receive general recommendations for comprehensive health care. This includes discussions about the benefits of engaging in physical and cognitive exercise, as well as advice on managing physical and mental health. All proposed physical and mental assessments will be conducted with the control group at the beginning of the study and after 12 weeks. Additionally, during the study period, they will be monitored for any changes in physical activity levels that may occur throughout the intervention. Follow-up will also include tracking nutritional changes, sleep habits, and stress levels.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Experimental Group

The intervention for the experimental group implements a digital and interactive reminiscence program, starting with a preparation phase to select participants based on predefined criteria. Personalized content is developed for each individual, creating digital profiles that include photographs, music, videos, and significant life anecdotes tailored to evoke emotional memories. Care staff receive training on using the software and reminiscence techniques to facilitate the intervention. The implementation phase includes group and individual digital reminiscence sessions held twice a week for eight weeks, lasting about 60 minutes each. These sessions present selected digital content to promote discussion and memory sharing. Interactive activities, such as games and exercises, foster active participation, while the facilitator encourages participants to share stories and emotions, creating a supportive environment.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Digital and Interactive Reminiscence

Intervention Type: OTHER

The intervention for the experimental group aims to enhance the psychological well-being of institutionalized seniors with Alzheimer's through a digital and interactive reminiscence therapy program. It begins with selecting participants based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, followed by developing personalized digital profiles that include photographs, music, videos, and life anecdotes to evoke emotional memories. Care staff receive training in using the digital software and reminiscence techniques. The core intervention consists of digital reminiscence sessions held twice a week for eight weeks, lasting about 60 minutes each, featuring multimedia content to encourage discussion and memory sharing. Interactive activities foster active participation, with facilitators promoting emotional expression and connection among participants, creating a supportive environment that stimulates cognitive function and reduces isolation.

Interventions

Digital and Interactive Reminiscence

The intervention for the experimental group aims to enhance the psychological well-being of institutionalized seniors with Alzheimer's through a digital and interactive reminiscence therapy program. It begins with selecting participants based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, followed by developing personalized digital profiles that include photographs, music, videos, and life anecdotes to evoke emotional memories. Care staff receive training in using the digital software and reminiscence techniques. The core intervention consists of digital reminiscence sessions held twice a week for eight weeks, lasting about 60 minutes each, featuring multimedia content to encourage discussion and memory sharing. Interactive activities foster active participation, with facilitators promoting emotional expression and connection among participants, creating a supportive environment that stimulates cognitive function and reduces isolation.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• People over 60 years of age.
• Confirmed diagnosis of mild or moderate Alzheimer's, where the patient still retains a certain degree of autobiographical memory.
• People institutionalized in a geriatric care center or similar.
• Level of cognitive impairment that allows understanding and basic interaction with digital tools.
• Approval and signature of informed consent by the participant or his/her legal representative, demonstrating agreement to participate in the study.
• Availability or access to devices (tablets or computers) provided by the study program or the care center.

Exclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of other neurological or psychiatric conditions (such as vascular dementia, Parkinson's, or psychotic disorders) that may significantly interfere with the program's results.
• Patients in advanced stages of Alzheimer's with severe limitations in remembering autobiographical events or interacting with digital devices.
• Vision, hearing, or fine motor problems that prevent the use of electronic devices in an appropriate manner, without the possibility of adaptation or assistance.
• Individuals or legal representatives who are unable or unwilling to give informed consent.
• Behaviors that may put the participant, staff, or other residents at risk when carrying out program activities.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Jaén

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Agustín Aibar Almazán

Principal investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Miguel Ángel Fernández Sevilla

Jaén, , Spain

Countries

Spain

Other Identifiers

-UJAEN-

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id