many studies have looked at the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy in clinically depressed older adults. this research suggests reminiscence therapy is a very effective way to reduce depressive symptoms in the elderly. integrative and instrumental reminiscence therapy helped participants' affect improve over the long term by significantly decreasing depressive symptoms. another study found that after 12 weeks of integrative reminiscence therapy, institutionalized older veterans experienced significant decreases in depressive symptoms. older adults with depressive symptoms frequently reminisce as a way to refresh bitter memories, reduce boredom, and prepare for death from webster's taxonomy (as opposed to conversation, teach/inform, intimacy maintenance, problem solving, identity). due to this finding, the researchers concluded that if depressed older adults were already reminiscing, although in negative ways, they would make good candidates for reminiscence therapy since they would be comfortable with this activity. reminiscence therapy may even help alleviate depressive symptoms in patients also suffering from cancer.