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Large-Screen Group Digital Reminiscence Therapy Reduces BPSD in Dementia: Findings from a Crossover Comparative Study
Tomoaki Asano, Kana Izumi, Takashi Ishikawa. Clinical Gerontologist, 2026-04-25
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Objectives This study evaluated the effectiveness of group‑based digital reminiscence therapy (GDRT) delivered via large‑screen visual stimuli optimized for the perceptual characteristics of people with dementia. The primary aim was to reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and caregiver burden.Methods A crossover study was conducted with 44 residents from four long‑term care facilities. Participants received five weeks of GDRT and five weeks of conventional activities in alternating sequences, separated by a 12‑week washout period. GDRT employed visually enhanced photographs and videos projected on a 100‑inch screen. Primary outcomes were BPSD and caregiver burden assessed using the NPI‑NH; secondary outcomes included cognitive function (MMSE‑J) and verbal fluency.Results Compared with conventional activities, GDRT resulted in significantly greater reductions in overall BPSD (r = 0.56, p = .001) and caregiver burden (r = 0.44, p = .011). Significant improvements were observed in apathy. Cognitive function improved during the GDRT phase (r = 0.44), whereas verbal fluency showed no significant change.Conclusions GDRT tailored to visual and cognitive characteristics of people with dementia effectively reduces apathy, BPSD and caregiver burden.Clinical implications Visually optimized, large‑screen digital reminiscence materials represent a practical and resource‑efficient approach for dementia care.
Key findings
- Primary outcomes were BPSD and caregiver burden assessed using the NPI‑NH; secondary outcomes included cognitive function (MMSE‑J) and verbal fluency.Results Compared with conventional activities, GDRT resulted in significantly greater reductions in overall BPSD (r = 0.56, p = .001) and caregiver burden (r = 0.44, p = .011).
- Significant improvements were observed in apathy.
- Cognitive function improved during the GDRT phase (r = 0.44), whereas verbal fluency showed no significant change.Conclusions GDRT tailored to visual and cognitive characteristics of people with dementia effectively reduces apathy, BPSD and caregiver burden.Clinical implications Visually optimized, large‑screen digital reminiscence materials represent a practical and resource‑efficient approach for dementia care.
Why it matters
In 44 nursing home residents, group digital reminiscence therapy on a large screen reduced behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and caregiver burden, and improved apathy and cognitive function, compared with usual activities. This is a small crossover study of a non-drug activity, so it addresses symptom management rather than curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 32/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Clinical Gerontologist) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Clinical Gerontologist: journal h-index 66 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.5 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Takashi Ishikawa: h-index 32 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Akita University: institution h-index 267 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 42033242) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 32 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Asano, T., Izumi, K., & Ishikawa, T. (2026). Large-Screen Group Digital Reminiscence Therapy Reduces BPSD in Dementia: Findings from a Crossover Comparative Study. Clinical Gerontologist. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2026.2664051
Vancouver
Asano T, Izumi K, Ishikawa T. Large-Screen Group Digital Reminiscence Therapy Reduces BPSD in Dementia: Findings from a Crossover Comparative Study. Clinical Gerontologist. 2026. doi:10.1080/07317115.2026.2664051. PMID: 42033242.
BibTeX
@article{asano2026-42033242,
author = {Asano, Tomoaki and Izumi, Kana and Ishikawa, Takashi},
title = {{Large-Screen Group Digital Reminiscence Therapy Reduces BPSD in Dementia: Findings from a Crossover Comparative Study}},
journal = {Clinical Gerontologist},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1080/07317115.2026.2664051},
pmid = {42033242},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2026.2664051}
}
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