Sustained mood improvement by the positive photo appreciation program in older adults.

Presents a study which aims to report three‐point transitions of participants' mood scores from the baseline to the three months follow‐up of the positive photo appreciation (PPA) program intervention. The participants in the intervention group in a pilot‐randomized trial included 25 community‐dwelling men and women aged 65–84 years. Those in the control group were excluded because the PPA program was implemented for them after the post‐intervention assessment. In the photography session, participants took photographs based on their preferences; these were then projected and everyone selected their favorite photos for appreciation. During the collage production, the participants created collages using their smiling photos and magazine clippings, provided titles, and presented them to the group. To maintain positive emotions, the participants did homework each day before going to bed: they imagined a positive image and recited three words of gratitude. Although the current study design does not allow to conclude a sustained, mood‐improving effects of the PPA program, the findings support its possibility, consistent with previous studies on PPT. Positive emotions may sustained through habituating positive behaviors and mind set via the program. Furthermore, the photography and positive expression employed in this study may improve this effect. The findings suggest that the PPA program has a potential as safe, non‐pharmacological therapy for older adults.