The effect of technology-based reminiscence therapy on older adults: A systematic review

Background: Aging is often accompanied by cognitive decline, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of anxiety and depression. Reminiscence therapy has been widely used to support psychological well-being in older adults; however, traditional approaches may be limited in engagement and accessibility. With the rapid development of digital technologies, technology-assisted reminiscence interventions have emerged as a promising approach to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, evidence regarding their effectiveness remains fragmented, necessitating a systematic evaluation of existing studies. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of technological applications used in reminiscence therapy among older adults. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify randomized controlled and quasi-experimental studies that applied technology-assisted reminiscence therapy in individuals aged 60 years and older. Searches were performed in EBSCOhost/CINAHL Complete, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library using the MeSH keyword “Web-based Intervention.” The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines were followed to ensure transparent reporting, and Zotero reference management software was used to remove duplicate records. Results: A total of 2,641 studies were identified, and nine studies meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Among these, seven were randomized controlled trials and two were quasi-experimental studies, published between 2015 and 2024. The review found that technology-assisted reminiscence therapies—most commonly using virtual reality, mobile applications, and tablet-based tools—improved cognitive functioning, enhanced quality of life, and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults. The Mini–Mental State Examination was the most frequently used assessment tool across studies. Visual and interactive stimuli appeared to enhance engagement and memory recall. However, effectiveness varied depending on intervention duration, frequency, and type of technology used. Conclusion: Technology-assisted reminiscence therapy shows promising effects on cognitive and psychological outcomes in older adults. However, further high-quality, large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are needed to strengthen the evidence base and support implementation in geriatric care.