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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04582370

Impact of Theater Experience on Older Adults Living in Retirement Communities

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Aging Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Stress, Psychological

Age range

62 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Loading trial locations.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 62 or older living in HUD-subsidized housing
  • Residence in a subsidized apartment for at least one year.
  • Able to carry on a daily conversation with or without hearing aids
  • Intact cognition as indicated by a score of greater than 5 on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ)
  • Ambulatory with or without aids, as the outcome measures require participants to perform static and dynamic balance, and walking activities.

Exclusion criteria

  • Visual impairment that cannot be corrected with assistive devices
  • Diagnosis of progressive neurodegenerative disorders (self-report)

Treatment and study plan

theater program

Behavioral

10-week theory-based theater program designed to improve their physical functioning and reduce emotional stress.

Primary outcomes

  1. Timed Up-and-Go

    Time frame: baseline

    The "timed Up-and-Go" (TUG) is a composite measure of functional mobility, including lower extremity power, balance, gait, and fall risk. Measured in absolute time (seconds), where lower time is a better score.

  2. Timed Up-and-Go

    Time frame: immediately post-intervention

    The "timed Up-and-Go" (TUG) is a composite measure of functional mobility, including lower extremity power, balance, gait, and fall risk. Measured in absolute time (seconds), where lower time is a better score.

  3. Timed Up-and-Go

    Time frame: 3-month follow up

    The "timed Up-and-Go" (TUG) is a composite measure of functional mobility, including lower extremity power, balance, gait, and fall risk. Measured in absolute time (seconds), where lower time is a better score.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Medical Outcomes Study Short Form

    Time frame: baseline

    The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, version 2 (SF-36v2) is a 36 item patient reported outcome measure of health-related quality of life in 8 different domains. Scores range from 0 to 100, with high scores indicating more positive health.

  2. Medical Outcomes Study Short Form

    Time frame: immediately post-intervention

    The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, version 2 (SF-36v2) is a 36 item patient reported outcome measure of health-related quality of life in 8 different domains. Scores range from 0 to 100, with high scores indicating more positive health.

  3. Medical Outcomes Study Short Form

    Time frame: 3-month follow up

    The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, version 2 (SF-36v2) is a 36 item patient reported outcome measure of health-related quality of life in 8 different domains. Scores range from 0 to 100, with high scores indicating more positive health.

  4. 2-minute step test

    Time frame: baseline

    The 2-minute step test (TMST) is a field test of exercise tolerance where the participant steps in place for 2 min. The higher the number repetition indicates better performance.

  5. 2-minute step test

    Time frame: immediately post-intervention

    The 2-minute step test (TMST) is a field test of exercise tolerance where the participant steps in place for 2 min. The higher the number repetition indicates better performance.

  6. 2-minute step test

    Time frame: 3-month follow up

    The 2-minute step test (TMST) is a field test of exercise tolerance where the participant steps in place for 2 min. The higher the number repetition indicates better performance.

  7. 30-sec chair stand test

    Time frame: baseline

    The 30-sec chair stand test (30CST) is a measure of lower extremity power and functional mobility. The participant stands up from a chair and sits back down as many times as possible in 30 sec. The higher the number repetition indicates better performance.

  8. 30-sec chair stand test

    Time frame: immediately post-intervention

    The 30-sec chair stand test (30CST) is a measure of lower extremity power and functional mobility. The participant stands up from a chair and sits back down as many times as possible in 30 sec. The higher the number repetition indicates better performance.

  9. 30-sec chair stand test

    Time frame: 3-month follow up

    The 30-sec chair stand test (30CST) is a measure of lower extremity power and functional mobility. The participant stands up from a chair and sits back down as many times as possible in 30 sec. The higher the number repetition indicates better performance.

  10. Berg Balance Scale

    Time frame: baseline

    The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a 14-iten test that measures function mobility and balance. Scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance.

  11. Berg Balance Scale

    Time frame: immediately post-intervention

    The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a 14-iten test that measures function mobility and balance. Scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance.

  12. Berg Balance Scale

    Time frame: 3-month follow up

    The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a 14-iten test that measures function mobility and balance. Scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance.

  13. Grip strength

    Time frame: baseline

    Hand-grip strength is a quantitative measure of upper extremity strength. Higher values indicated more strength.

  14. Grip strength

    Time frame: immediately post-intervention

    Hand-grip strength is a quantitative measure of upper extremity strength. Higher values indicated more strength.

  15. Grip strength

    Time frame: 3-month follow up

    Hand-grip strength is a quantitative measure of upper extremity strength. Higher values indicated more strength.

  16. Emotional stress

    Time frame: baseline

    Emotional stress will be assessed via cortisol levels obtained from hair samples analyzed via immunoassay. Typical values range from 2 to 200 pg/mg, with higher levels indicating higher chronic stress.

  17. Emotional stress

    Time frame: immediately post-intervention

    Emotional stress will be assessed via cortisol levels obtained from hair samples analyzed via immunoassay. Typical values range from 2 to 200 pg/mg, with higher levels indicating higher chronic stress.

  18. Emotional stress

    Time frame: 3-month follow up

    Emotional stress will be assessed via cortisol levels obtained from hair samples analyzed via immunoassay. Typical values range from 2 to 200 pg/mg, with higher levels indicating higher chronic stress.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Oct 9, 2020
Registry last updated
Dec 13, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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