Non-pharmacological mental health interventions for older adults in Mexico: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION: The accelerated aging of the Mexican population presents an urgent public health challenge, particularly regarding geriatric mental health. While non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) offer a promising therapeutic avenue, national evidence remains fragmented. This systematic review critically evaluates the efficacy of NPIs implemented in Mexico to improve mental health outcomes among adults aged 60 and older. METHOD: Adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251033051), we conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, Scopus, and the Virtual Health Library (2010-2025). We included randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies, assessing risk of bias via Joanna Briggs Institute tools. RESULTS: Seven studies (N = 267; mean age 71.9 ± 7.3) met the eligibility criteria. Synthesis of findings revealed distinct efficacy patterns: physical exercise interventions yielded the most robust outcomes, demonstrating large effect sizes for reducing depressive symptoms (ηp² = 0.35) and enhancing resilience (ηp² = 0.46). In contrast, cognitive and reminiscence-based therapies proved highly effective for improving self-esteem (d = -0.89) but showed inconsistent results for mood regulation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Current evidence confirms that NPIs-specifically structured physical activity-are potent and scalable tools for promoting geriatric mental health in Mexico. However, the existing literature is limited by heterogeneity and a lack of geographic coverage. To bridge the gap between research and practice, it is imperative that policymakers transition from isolated pilot interventions to the integration of standardized, evidence-based NPIs protocols within the national geriatric care system. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251033051, identifier CRD420251033051.