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Life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy

Life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy has been studied in 2 papers since 2025: 2 trials in people; 2 in the past year. The newest story, Nov 5, 2026: “Life storybook therapy aided thinking in mild cognitive impairment”.

Intervention

2 papers study it8 findingsUpdated

1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 2 papers on life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy

At a glance

Independent labs found the same change in people. 2 independent labs in 1 country.

“The group × time interaction was statistically significant for overall cognitive function (β = 1.757, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.205, 3.308)”
Effects and feasibility of life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy for older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A cluster randomized controlled trialGeriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)2026doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.104435

1 of its findings points the other way.

Humans: replicated by independent labs. Cells, worms or flies and mice: nothing yet.

C, W, M, H: cells, worms or flies, mice, humans. Dark: independent labs found the same change there. Light: one lab or one study. Outline: nothing yet.

Labs are independent when their papers share no last author and no institution.

Against: findings that point the other way from most findings on the same outcome.

  • 2 independent labs in 1 country
  • 1 finding against
  • Funder: Korea Ministry of Education
  • Human trial2

Studies in people

2 studies gave life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy to people and measured what changed.

What changedDesignPeopleSource

up: Improves cognitive functionβ = 1.757, 95% CI 0.205–3.308

no change: Has no effect on self-esteemβ = 2.133, 95% CI −0.018–4.283

no change: Has no effect on depression

Randomized trial6 weeks36 peopleolder adultsOlder adults; Mild cognitive impairmentGeriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.), Nov 5, 2026

up: Improves cognitive function

up: Improves self-esteem

no change: Has no effect on depression

Randomized trial6 weeks31 peopleOlder adults; Patient cohortsGSA 2025 abstract, Dec 31, 2025

What did studies of life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy find?

4

Studies of life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy measured 4 outcomes; the most studied are social interaction (2 studies), depression (2) and self-esteem (2).

Social interaction

no changein humans2

2 studies

  1. Life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy showed no clear effect on social interaction in humans (Mild cognitive impairment).

    “No effects were observed on depression or social interaction.”

    Human trialMild cognitive impairmentSix weekly sessions6 weeksn = 36

    Life storybook therapy aided thinking in mild cognitive impairment

    Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)

  2. Life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy showed no clear effect on social interaction in humans.

    “However, no significant changes were observed in depression or social interaction.”

    Human trial6 weeksn = 31

    Can Life Storybook-based Group Reminiscence Therapy Benefit Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment?

    GSA 2025 abstract

Depression

no changein humans2

2 studies

  1. Life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy showed no clear effect on depression in humans (Mild cognitive impairment).

    “No effects were observed on depression or social interaction.”

    Human trialMild cognitive impairmentSix weekly sessions6 weeksn = 36

    Life storybook therapy aided thinking in mild cognitive impairment

    Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)

  2. Life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy showed no clear effect on depression in humans.

    “However, no significant changes were observed in depression or social interaction.”

    Human trial6 weeksn = 31

    Can Life Storybook-based Group Reminiscence Therapy Benefit Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment?

    GSA 2025 abstract

More on Depression

Self-esteem

no changein humans1upin humans1

2 studies

  1. Life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy showed no clear effect on self-esteem in humans (Mild cognitive impairment; primary analysis; significant in sensitivity analyses) (β = 2.133, 95% CI −0.018–4.283).

    “The interaction for self-esteem was not statistically significant (β = 2.133, 95% CI = −0.018, 4.283), although it was statistically significant in sensitivity analyses.”

    Human trialMild cognitive impairment; primary analysis; significant in sensitivity analysesSix weekly sessions6 weeksn = 36

    Life storybook therapy aided thinking in mild cognitive impairment

    Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)

  2. Life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy improves self-esteem in humans.

    “The intervention group showed significantly greater self-esteem and cognitive function improvements than the control group.”

    Human trial6 weeksn = 31

    Can Life Storybook-based Group Reminiscence Therapy Benefit Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment?

    GSA 2025 abstract

Cognitive function

upin humans2

2 studies

  1. Life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy improves cognitive function in humans (Mild cognitive impairment; compared with a self-directed resource book) (β = 1.757, 95% CI 0.205–3.308).

    “The group × time interaction was statistically significant for overall cognitive function (β = 1.757, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.205, 3.308)”

    Human trialMild cognitive impairment; compared with a self-directed resource bookSix weekly sessions6 weeksn = 36

    Life storybook therapy aided thinking in mild cognitive impairment

    Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)

  2. Life storybook-based group reminiscence therapy improves cognitive function in humans.

    “The intervention group showed significantly greater self-esteem and cognitive function improvements than the control group.”

    Human trial6 weeksn = 31

    Can Life Storybook-based Group Reminiscence Therapy Benefit Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment?

    GSA 2025 abstract

Latest

Dec 2025: 1Jan 2026: 0Feb 2026: 0Mar 2026: 0Apr 2026: 0May 2026: 0Jun 2026: 0Jul 2026: 0Aug 2026: 0Sep 2026: 0Oct 2026: 0Nov 2026: 12 papers in 12 months
Geriatric Nursing

Life storybook therapy aided thinking in mild cognitive impairment

Cognitive improvement favored six weekly group sessions over a self-directed resource book, with an estimated difference of 1.757 on the study’s measure.Cognitive improvement favored six weekly group sessions over a self-directed resource book, with an estimated difference of 1.757 on the study’s measure.

Randomized trial · 36 peopleMild cognitive impairment
Paper

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