IMPROAGING: A multicomponent intervention to achieve healthy aging through improvisation theatre.

INTRODUCTION

Improvisational theatre is an activity that combines many of the recommendations that promote healthy aging: physical exercise, cognitive stimulation, socialization, meditation and music therapy. The purpose of the study is to assess whether improvisational theatre can enhance physical and cognitive function, as well as quality of life and emotional status of older adults.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental study was conducted in five groups (two from residential facilities and three comprising community dwelling older adults), utilizing a convenience-based sample size.

SAMPLE AND

SETTING

Fifty-six participants were recruited, with a mean age of 76.6 (9.3), of whom 73% were women, 34% lived in residential facilities, and 66% lived in the community.

RESULTS

While Barthel Index and Lawton Index remained stable along the intervention period, we found statistically significant changes in all the other physical-related assessed variables (SPPB, hand-grip strength, FRAIL index). There was also significant improvement in the MoC@ scale, verbal and semantic fluency, EuroQol, loneliness and depression. Sensitivity analyses indicated that some effects may be context-dependent and influenced by subgroup composition (Visual Analogue Scale, MoC@, FRAIL, and verbal fluency).

CONCLUSION

Improvisational theatre enhanced physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being of participants. Incorporating improvisational theatre training is a valuable addition to interventions aimed at addressing the challenges posed by an aging population on a broader scale.