Background: With rapid population aging, enhancing psychological well-being and vitality among middle- and older-aged adults has become a central goal of healthy aging strategies. Reminiscence therapy using photos, music, and familiar objects has demonstrated benefits for depression and quality of life; however, real-world applications of artificial intelligence (AI)–based personalized reminiscence among Korean older adults remain underexplored.

Objective: to examine how AI-based personalized reminiscence influences depressive feelings, vitality, and perceptions of physical strength among adults aged 50–80 years.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with 10 participants. AI video-generation tools (Kling AI, and Runway AI) were used to recreate individualized scenes from participants’ youth in the 1980s, such as kimchi-making, traditional street games, and neighborhood play. After viewing the AI-generated videos, participants engaged in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Interview transcripts and field notes were analyzed using thematic coding.

Results: Three themes emerged. First, alleviation of depressive feelings and loneliness: most participants reported reduced emotional emptiness, and bereaved individuals described enhanced self-worth through narrative sharing. Second, increased vitality and motivation for social re-engagement: many participants expressed renewed interest in community or group activities after recalling collective experiences. Third, changed perceptions of physical strength and health behavior: participants reflected on differences between past and present physical capacity, with several reporting increased motivation to adopt healthier routines, such as regular walking.

Conclusions: AI-based personalized reminiscence therapy appears to be a feasible and meaningful digital intervention to support psychological well-being, vitality, and health-related self-reflection among middle- and older-aged adults. Further large-scale and longitudinal studies are warranted.

Authors:
Seungyoun Hong, Kangnam University, South Korea

About the Presenter(s)
Seung-Yeon Hong, Ph.D., Professor at Kangnam University. Her interests include gerontology, senior healthcare, and public health. She is currently leading a research project on community-based and digital health interventions for healthy aging

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seung-youn-hong-15435138

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