Psychosocial intervention and mental health for older adults: a systematic review / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo systematically review the effects of psychosocial support-related activities on mental health of older adults. MethodsRandomized controlled trails (RCTs) on mental health benefits for older adults were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO and CNKI, until August, 2022. A systematic review was conducted. ResultsSeven RCTs were included, from Spain, Chile, Canada, Finland, the United Kingdom, South Korea and the United States, mainly from psychiatry, mental health of the elderly and other journals, published after 2017. The subjects aged 60 to 80 years, accounting to 1 258 cases. Psychosocial interventions included Pilates, mindfulness, behavioral activation, cognitive stimulation, daily difficult problem solving training, pain and depression symptom management, health education and guidance, nursing coordination, group exercise (such as circuit training, pedal training or rubber band training), and water sports, etc. The frequency of intervention was 30 to 120 minutes a time, one to nine times a week, and the intensity of the intervention was low to high intensity for four to 64 weeks. Intervention sites included sports venues, community health centres, ageing services, and intervention staff included sports therapists (yoga), psychologists, health professionals, community health services, and health care workers. All interventions were carried out under supervision. The benefits of psychosocial intervention on the mental health of the older adults mainly reflected in the improving cognitive function and self-efficacy, reducing anxiety and depression, improving depressed mood or loneliness, improving sleep quality, increasing sense of social integration and relieving pain and other problems. ConclusionMental health interventions (psychological interventions or support, social interventions or support, psychosocial interventions) and mental health-related interventions (physical activity interventions) benefit older people's mental health, including improving cognitive function, alleviating anxiety and depression, improving sleep quality, and improving quality of life and well-being.