Effect of Reminiscence on Cognitive Status and Memory of the Elderly People

OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to determine the effect of reminiscence on cognitive status and memory of a sample of elderly people who lived in aged day centers in Golestan province, Iran. METHODS This study was a semi-experimental research. The subjects consisted of 45 elderly people who referred to the aged day centers of Golestan province. Each four groups of 45 aged subjects (4 groups of 10-12 subjects) took part in 8 reminiscence sessions which lasted one to one and half hour. Cognitive status and of the aged, before and after taking part, was assessed by Mini Mental State Examination and Wechsler Memory Scale. RESULTS Mean (±SD) cognitive status score at pre-test stage was 24 (±2) which increased to 25 (±2) at post-test stage (p < 0.01). Mean (±SD) intelligence quotient was 87 (±7) at pre-test stage which increased to 92 (±10) at post-test stage (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Reminiscence sessions held for the aged studied here had beneficial effects on cognition and memory of the subjects.