AgingNCT04582370
Impact of Theater Experience on Older Adults Living in Retirement Communities
A study testing theater program in people with Aging, run by University of Alabama at Birmingham at 2 sites in United States.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 62 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Aging
- What is being tested?
- theater program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 84 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 4 Oct 2021to 17 Apr 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 62 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- Visual impairment that cannot be corrected with assistive devices
- Diagnosis of progressive neurodegenerative disorders (self-report)
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
United States2 sites
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, 35294-1212
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, 35294
About this study
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.
Read more
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.
- Conditions
- Aging
- Being tested
- theater program
- Keywords
- Older adults, Theater, Physical functioning, Emotional stress
- Medical subject headings
- Stress, Psychological
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
theater programBehavioural
10-week theory-based theater program designed to improve their physical functioning and reduce emotional stress.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Theater program | Experimental | 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. Receives: Behavioral: theater program |
| Wait-list control | No intervention | 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. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Timed Up-and-Go
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.
Measured: baseline
Timed Up-and-Go
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.
Measured: immediately post-intervention
Timed Up-and-Go
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.
Measured: 3-month follow up
Secondary outcomes (18)
Medical Outcomes Study Short Form
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.
Measured: baseline
Medical Outcomes Study Short Form
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.
Measured: immediately post-intervention
Medical Outcomes Study Short Form
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.
Measured: 3-month follow up
2-minute step test
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.
Measured: baseline
2-minute step test
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.
Measured: immediately post-intervention
2-minute step test
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.
Measured: 3-month follow up
30-sec chair stand test
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.
Measured: baseline
30-sec chair stand test
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.
Measured: immediately post-intervention
30-sec chair stand test
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.
Measured: 3-month follow up
Berg Balance Scale
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.
Measured: baseline
Berg Balance Scale
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.
Measured: immediately post-intervention
Berg Balance Scale
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.
Measured: 3-month follow up
Grip strength
Hand-grip strength is a quantitative measure of upper extremity strength. Higher values indicated more strength.
Measured: baseline
Grip strength
Hand-grip strength is a quantitative measure of upper extremity strength. Higher values indicated more strength.
Measured: immediately post-intervention
Grip strength
Hand-grip strength is a quantitative measure of upper extremity strength. Higher values indicated more strength.
Measured: 3-month follow up
Emotional stress
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.
Measured: baseline
Emotional stress
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.
Measured: immediately post-intervention
Emotional stress
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.
Measured: 3-month follow up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Oct 2020
- Study start4 Oct 2021
- Primary completion17 Apr 2023
- Study completion17 Apr 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for AgingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of Alabama at BirminghamThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Hon K. Yuen, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04582370
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 000526106
- Status last verified
- Dec 2024
- First submitted
- 2 Oct 2020
- Last updated
- 13 Dec 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Stanislavsky C. An Actor Prepares. New York: Routledge; 1989.
Kirklin K, Qu H, Mayor E, Lowman JD, Gao J, Edwards L, Li P, Yuen HK. 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. Innov Aging. 2025 May 6;9(6):igaf046. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igaf046. eCollection 2025.
PubMed 40600024
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Dec 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impact of Theater Experience on Older Adults Living in Retirement Communities
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04582370
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 000526106
- Conditions
- Aging
- Keywords
- Older adults, Theater, Physical functioning, Emotional stress
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Alabama at BirminghamUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Oct 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 17 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Apr 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Oct 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Theater program | Experimental | Behavioral: theater programThe 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. |
| Wait-list control | No intervention | –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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 62 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Visual impairment that cannot be corrected with assistive devices
- Diagnosis of progressive neurodegenerative disorders (self-report)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| theater program10-week theory-based theater program designed to improve their physical functioning and reduce emotional stress. | Behavioural | Theater program |
Primary outcome
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.
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.
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.
18 secondary outcomes
Medical Outcomes Study Short Form
Time frame: baseline
Medical Outcomes Study Short Form
Time frame: immediately post-intervention
Medical Outcomes Study Short Form
Time frame: 3-month follow up
2-minute step test
Time frame: baseline
2-minute step test
Time frame: immediately post-intervention
2-minute step test
Time frame: 3-month follow up
30-sec chair stand test
Time frame: baseline
30-sec chair stand test
Time frame: immediately post-intervention
30-sec chair stand test
Time frame: 3-month follow up
Berg Balance Scale
Time frame: baseline
Berg Balance Scale
Time frame: immediately post-intervention
Berg Balance Scale
Time frame: 3-month follow up
Grip strength
Time frame: baseline
Grip strength
Time frame: immediately post-intervention
Grip strength
Time frame: 3-month follow up
Emotional stress
Time frame: baseline
Emotional stress
Time frame: immediately post-intervention
Emotional stress
Time frame: 3-month follow up
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Dec 2024.
- BackgroundStanislavsky C. An Actor Prepares. New York: Routledge; 1989.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40600024Kirklin K, Qu H, Mayor E, Lowman JD, Gao J, Edwards L, Li P, Yuen HK. 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. Innov Aging. 2025 May 6;9(6):igaf046. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igaf046. eCollection 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing theater program in people with Aging, run by University of Alabama at Birmingham at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Dec 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Timed Up-and-Go (time frame: baseline). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04582370, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Dec 2024.