Effects of group reminiscence therapy assisted by memory specificity training (GRT-mest) on depressive symptoms in older adults: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of the Group Reminiscence Therapy assisted by Memory Specificity Training (GRT-mest) in older adults, and to further investigate the indirect effect of autobiographical memory in improving depressive symptoms.

Methods: In this single-blind, three-arm parallel group, cluster randomized controlled trial, 78 eligible participants were randomly assigned to two intervention groups and one control group in two nursing homes, and assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 1-month and 3-month follow-ups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0.

Results: The GRT-mest had more significant improvements in depressive symptoms (ES=0.08, P < 0.001), autobiographical memory (ES=0.07, P < 0.001), and rumination (ES=0.07, P < 0.001) compared to other two groups, and these effects were maintained up to 3 months post-intervention. The improvement of autobiographical memory only had an indirect effect on improving depressive symptoms at immediately post-intervention (Indirect effect =-1.3231, 95% CI [-2.4187, -0.4053], P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The GRT-mest can improve depressive symptoms, autobiographical memory, and rumination in older adults, with these effects being maintained for up to 3 months. Additionally, the improvement in autobiographical memory plays a short-term mediating role in alleviating depressive symptoms. This study further supports the theoretical effectiveness of incorporating mest into the treatment of depressive symptoms among older adults in domestic settings.