Developing Assistive Technology to Support Reminiscence Therapy

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Lisbon has shed light on the development of assistive technology for reminiscence therapy in people with dementia. Led by Soraia M. Alarcao and including researchers Andre Santana, Bruna Vieites, Pedro Neves, Raul Alves, Carolina Maruta, and Manuel J. Fonseca, the study aimed to create a user-centered approach to addressing the needs of caregivers and individuals with dementia. The researchers focused on developing a prototype, called KeepsakeBox, that enables the creation, management, and delivery of personalized reminiscence therapy sessions.

Key Takeaways:

• The study involved 713 informal and 67 formal caregivers who participated in a user-centered design approach, including web-based surveys, follow-up interviews, and focus groups.
• The researchers identified the need for mechanisms to help caregivers manage tasks involved in therapy, such as creating sessions and gathering feedback, to reduce their workload and improve therapy quality.
• Caregivers expressed the desire to easily leverage emotions during therapy to personalize and diversify sessions, reducing aggression or agitation in people with dementia.
• The study proposed a list of functional requirements for caregivers and expected primary and secondary outcomes, including improving cognitive function, reducing caregiver stress and burden, and reducing behavioral symptoms of people with dementia.
• The KeepsakeBox prototype allows for creating, managing, and delivering personalized reminiscence therapy sessions to people with dementia.
• The study suggests that assistive technology can play a crucial role in supporting reminiscence therapy, addressing the needs of both caregivers and individuals with dementia.

Statistics:

• 713 informal caregivers participated in the study.
• 67 formal caregivers participated in the study.
• The study involved a sequential process that included web-based surveys, follow-up interviews, and focus groups to inform the development of the KeepsakeBox prototype.
• The license for the research was funded by FundacaO Para A Ciencia E A Tecnologia.
• The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine, 2025,12.

Sources:

• Frontiers in Medicine, 2025,12, doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1625897
• "Developing assistive technology to support reminiscence therapy: a user-centered study" by Soraia M. Alarcao et al., published in Frontiers in Medicine, 2025.