Impact of Theater Experience on Older Adults Living in Retirement Communities

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04582370
• Recruitment Status: Recruiting
• First Posted: October 9, 2020
• Last Update Posted: January 13, 2022
• Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Hon K. Yuen, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Study Description

Brief Summary:

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.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Aging	Behavioral: theater program	Not Applicable

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Estimated Enrollment: 66 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: Impact of Theater Experience on Older Adults Living in Retirement Communities
• Actual Study Start Date: October 4, 2021
• Estimated Primary Completion Date: December 2023
• Estimated Study Completion Date: December 2023

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Theater program; The design of the 10-week theater program is based on the principles of acting as written and practiced by Constantin Stanislavski in his revolutionary text on acting: "An Actor Prepares" [Stanislavsky C, 1989]. The exercises target concentration, voice, physical skills, emotion memory, observation, and dramatic analysis and include 3 components: 1. Preparation for the Actor (which involves relaxation , collaboration, movement, posture, and vocality; 2. Learning the Components of the Repeatable Acting Process (which involves physicality, attention, and concentration); and 3. Synthesizing Components into Characterization (which involves creativity and emotional expression). Each of these components will be addressed during each of 20 sessions through the use of group warm ups, group ensemble exercises, and group recitations. Participants will perform physical, mental, and emotional exercises similar to those given to beginning acting students in traditional theater schools.	Behavioral: theater program; 10-week theory-based theater program designed to improve their physical functioning and reduce emotional stress.
No Intervention: Wait-list control; During the study period, the control group will not receive any type of intervention. However, they will be offered the same theater program experience after the primary data collection period ends.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

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 Outcome Measures :

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.

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 62 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

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

Exclusion Criteria:

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

Contacts and Locations

Contacts

Contact: Hon K Yuen, PhD; 2059346301; yuen@uab.edu

Locations

United States, Alabama

University of Alabama at Birmingham; Not yet recruiting

Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294-1212

Contact: Hon K Yuen, PhD, OTR/L 205-934-6301 yuen@uab.edu

Sub-Investigator: John D Lowman, PhD, PT

Sub-Investigator: Kimberly Kirklin, MA

University of Alabama at Birmingham; Recruiting

Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294

Contact: Hon K Yuen, PhD

Principal Investigator: Hon K Yuen, PhD

Sponsors and Collaborators

University of Alabama at Birmingham

More Information

Publications:

Stanislavsky C. An Actor Prepares. New York: Routledge; 1989.

• Responsible Party: Hon K. Yuen, PhD, Director of Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04582370
• Other Study ID Numbers: 000526106
• First Posted: October 9, 2020
• Last Update Posted: January 13, 2022
• Last Verified: January 2022

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: No

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No

Keywords provided by Hon K. Yuen, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham:

Older adults; Theater; Physical functioning; Emotional stress