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May 29, 2026

The Effect of Drama Therapy on Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life Among Older Adults in Residential Care Facilities

Key Points

The aim is to evaluate the impact of drama therapy on depressive symptoms and quality of life in older adults in residential care.
Quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design.
160 participants allocated evenly to intervention (n=80) and control groups (n=80).
Intervention included structured drama therapy for 8–10 weeks, while control received usual care.
Depressive symptoms significantly decreased in the intervention group from 7.23 to 5.46 (p < 0.001), no change in control group.
Quality of life improved in the intervention group from 10.29 to 12.64 (p < 0.001), minimal change in control.
Post-intervention, depressive scores were lower (5.46 vs. 6.78) and quality of life scores were higher (12.64 vs. 10.63) in intervention group (p < 0.001).

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Depression is highly prevalent among older adults in residential care facilities and is strongly associated with reduced quality of life. Although creative arts therapies have gained attention, evidence on drama therapy in institutional settings remains limited. Aim This study evaluated the effect of drama therapy on depressive symptoms and quality of life among older adults residing in residential care facilities in Israel. Methods A quasi‐experimental pretest–posttest control group design was employed. A total of 160 participants were enrolled and equally allocated to an intervention group ( n = 80) and a control group ( n = 80). The intervention group received a structured drama therapy programme over 8–10 weeks, while the control group received usual care. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‐15), and quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life–Old Module (WHOQOL‐OLD). Data were analysed using paired and independent t ‐tests. Results Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups ( p > 0.05). In the intervention group, depressive symptoms significantly decreased from a mean of 7.23 (SD = 1.41) to 5.46 (SD = 1.58; p < 0.001), whereas no significant change was observed in the control group (6.84 ± 1.55 to 6.78 ± 1.46; p = 0.582). Quality of life in the intervention group significantly improved from 10.29 (SD = 0.77) to 12.64 (SD = 0.89; p < 0.001), compared to a minimal change in the control group (10.55 ± 0.93 to 10.63 ± 0.94; p = 0.026). Post‐intervention comparisons revealed significantly lower depression scores (5.46 ± 1.58 vs. 6.78 ± 1.46) and higher quality of life scores (12.64 ± 0.89 vs. 10.63 ± 0.94) in the intervention group compared to the control group ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Drama therapy significantly reduces depressive symptoms and enhances the quality of life among older adults in residential care facilities. Integrating structured psychosocial interventions into routine care may improve holistic well‐being in institutionalised ageing populations.

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