ArticleThe Arts in psychotherapy2017
Development and Pilot Randomized Control Trial of a Drama Program to Enhance Well-being Among Older Adults.
Article in The Arts in psychotherapy, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effectiveness of group-based art interventions for late-life depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.BMC medicine · 2026Pooled it
- Group arts interventions for depression and anxiety among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nature. Mental health · 2025Article
- 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.Innovation in aging · 2025Article
- Engaging the Arts for Wellbeing in the United States of America: A Scoping Review.Frontiers in psychology · 2021Article
- Playback theatre in adult day centers: A creative group intervention for community-dwelling older adults.PloS one · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveDevelop a novel theatre-based program and test its feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy for improving empathy/compassion and well-being among older adults.
methodThirteen 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.
resultsThe 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.
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Registered trials
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