In search of the best evidence for life review therapy to reduce depressive symptoms in older adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Life review builds on a naturally occurring process in later life and entails attributing meaning to positive and negative memories across the lifespan. The current meta-analysis focuses on the best evidence of life review as a therapeutic intervention to reduce depressive symptoms in older adults. A systematic literature search resulted in eleven randomized controlled trials. The meta-analysis showed a large effect. When two outliers were removed, the effect size was moderate and was maintained at three months follow-up. Heterogeneity was low with no clear publication bias in spite of differences in interventions and study designs. Hence, the best available evidence shows that life review therapy has moderate effects on depressive symptoms in older adults.