NCT04582370

Impact of Theater Experience on Older Adults Living in Retirement Communities

Completed NA Last updated 13 December 2024

What this trial tests

NA trial testing theater program in Aging in 84 participants. Completed in 17 April 2023.

Timeline

4 October 2021

Primary endpoint
17 April 2023

17 April 2023

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	University of Alabama at Birmingham
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	single
Primary purpose	treatment
Enrollment	84
Start date	4 October 2021
Primary completion	17 April 2023
Estimated completion	17 April 2023
Sites	2 locations across United States

Drugs / interventions tested

• theater program

Conditions studied

• Aging — all drugs for Aging →

Sponsor

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Who can join

62 and older, any sex, with Aging. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Theater is a complex, multi-component performing art. On stage, actors not only need to memorize the script, but also be able to portray emotion and feeling through movement and move in whichever manner is deemed appropriate by the script. Acting therefore requires as much movement as it does vocalization. As training exercises in theater naturally involve boosting physical, cognitive and affective function, and social relationships, theater experience can be used to promote health and wellness. Over the last two decades, there has been an increase in the use of theater to promote health and wellness among older adults.

Thus, the overall aim of this project is to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of a 10-week theory-based theater program on physical functioning and emotional stress among older adults.

Hypothesis #1: Older adults residing in subsidized housing who participate in a theory-based theater program will demonstrate better physical functioning, and reduction in emotional stress than wait-list controls at the conclusion of a 10-week theater program.

Hypothesis #2: The positive impact of the theater program on the residents' improved physical functioning and stress level will be maintained at 3-month follow-up.

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. The "Method of Physical Action" in Theatre Training Improves Balance and Reduces Fall Risk in Older Adults Living in Subsidized Housing: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
   Kirklin K, Qu H, Mayor E, Lowman JD, et al · · 2025 · PMID 40600024 · DOI 10.1093/geroni/igaf046