Development and pilot randomized control trial of a drama program to enhance well-being among older adults

Abstract

Objective Develop a novel theatre-based program and test its feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy for improving empathy/compassion and well-being among older adults. Method Thirteen older adults were randomized to a 6-week Drama Workshop (DW) program or time-equivalent Backstage Pass (BP) control condition. Pre- and post-treatment measures included empathy, compassion, and mood scales. Additional post-treatment measures included self-rated change in empathy/compassion, confidence, and affect. Participants also rated their mood/affect after each session. Results The program was successfully completed and well-liked. No pre-to-post-treatment changes in empathy/compassion or mood symptoms were found in either group. Compared to BP, DW weekly ratings indicated higher levels of anxiety and lower happiness; however, the DW program had higher self-ratings of positive change in self-esteem, confidence, and happiness post-treatment. Discussion While the DW may not promote empathy/compassion and was personally challenging during the program, engagement in dramatic exercises and rehearsing and performing a dramatic piece was seen by participants as a positive growth experience, as indicated by the post-treatment ratings of enhanced self-esteem, confidence and happiness. Thus, such a program might be useful for counteracting some of the potential negative aspects of aging, including reduced self-efficacy due to physical limitations and negative affect due to losses.

Engaging the Arts for Wellbeing in the United States of America: A Scoping Review

“…Essential elements include manipulation of the independent variable, a control group, and random assignment of subjects to a study group ( Gray and Grove, 2021 ). The three randomized control trials included two studies of older adults using, drama, and choir interventions ( Moore et al, 2017 ; Johnson et al, 2020 ). These interventions produced findings of increased self-esteem, confidence, happiness and interest in life, and decreased loneliness.…”

“…This category included the subcategories of evaluation, communitybased participatory research (CBPR), experimental, correlational, and model testing. Elderly/Older adult 7 Gooding et al, 2014;Moore et al, 2017;Cantu and Fleuriet, 2018;Fleuriet and Chauvin, 2018;Harrison et al, 2020;Johnson et al, 2020;Strong and Midden, 2020 Immigrant 5 Stephenson et al, 2013;Novak, 2016;Fleming et al, 2017;Yam, 2017;Mares et al, 2020 Women and girls 6 Moe, 2014;O'Brien, 2015O'Brien, , 2016McConnell et al, 2016;Travis et al, 2016;Teti et…”

Playback theatre in adult day centers: A creative group intervention for community-dwelling older adults

“…The literature discusses the healing potential of older adults’ involvement and participation in theatre and drama [ 23 , 24 ]. A pilot randomized control trial indicated that short programs, which include dramatic exercises, rehearsing, and performing, lead to the enhanced self-esteem, confidence, and happiness among older adults [ 25 ]. In addition, participation in theatrically-based interventions was found to increase cognitive functioning, such as memory, comprehension, as well as problem-solving ability [ 26 , 27 ].…”

Psychological Interventions for Well-Being in Healthy Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Intervention content varied widely; no two studies used the same intervention. The intervention types were an isolation prevention program (Saito et al, 2012), outdoor activities (Rantanen et al, 2014), art therapy through participation in theater workshops (Moore et al, 2017), animal-assisted activity (Colombo et al, 2006), and an encounter group (Mountain et al, 2017). Three of the five interventions were group-based, and two studies provided individual interventions.…”

“…Only Moore et al (2017) used an active control group, while the other four studies used either a waitlist or treatment as usual (TAU). It is problematic to mix active control groups and waitlist or TAU groups for quantitative convenience.…”