# Non-pharmacological mental health interventions for older adults in Mexico: a systematic review

## TL;DR

This review evaluates non-drug treatments for mental health in older adults in Mexico, finding that physical exercise is most effective for reducing depression and improving resilience.

## Contribution

The study provides the first systematic evaluation of non-pharmacological mental health interventions for older adults in Mexico.

## Key findings

- Physical exercise interventions showed large effect sizes for reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing resilience.
- Cognitive and reminiscence-based therapies improved self-esteem but had inconsistent effects on mood regulation.
- The review highlights the need for standardized, evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions in national geriatric care.

## Abstract

The accelerated aging of the Mexican population presents an urgent public health challenge, particularly regarding geriatric mental health. While non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) offer a promising therapeutic avenue, national evidence remains fragmented. This systematic review critically evaluates the efficacy of NPIs implemented in Mexico to improve mental health outcomes among adults aged 60 and older.

Adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251033051), we conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, Scopus, and the Virtual Health Library (2010–2025). We included randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies, assessing risk of bias via Joanna Briggs Institute tools.

Seven studies (N = 267; mean age 71.9 ± 7.3) met the eligibility criteria. Synthesis of findings revealed distinct efficacy patterns: physical exercise interventions yielded the most robust outcomes, demonstrating large effect sizes for reducing depressive symptoms (ηp2 = 0.35) and enhancing resilience (ηp2 = 0.46). In contrast, cognitive and reminiscence-based therapies proved highly effective for improving self-esteem (d = −0.89) but showed inconsistent results for mood regulation.

Current evidence confirms that NPIs—specifically structured physical activity—are potent and scalable tools for promoting geriatric mental health in Mexico. However, the existing literature is limited by heterogeneity and a lack of geographic coverage. To bridge the gap between research and practice, it is imperative that policymakers transition from isolated pilot interventions to the integration of standardized, evidence-based NPIs protocols within the national geriatric care system.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251033051, identifier CRD420251033051.