Abstract:
Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of drama therapy in
improving mental health outcomes and QoL among older adults residing in institutional care
settings.
Methods and Materials: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus,
Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2018 and January
2024. Inclusion criteria focused on empirical studies examining drama therapy's effects on
depression, mental health, or QoL in adults aged 60 and above. A total of 41 studies met the
eligibility criteria, comprising 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 11 quasi-experimental
studies, nine qualitative studies, and seven mixed-methods studies. Quality appraisal tools
included the McMaster Quality Assessment Tool and CASP. Data were synthesized
thematically.
Findings: Drama therapy was associated with moderate to significant reductions in mental
health illness symptoms in 28 of the included studies. Social engagement and emotional
expression improved in over 70% of cases. However, findings on quality of life (QoL) were
mixed: nine studies reported significant improvements, five showed no effect, and two found
marginal gains. Most studies had small sample sizes (range: 15–150) and limited follow-up
periods.
Conclusion: Drama therapy shows promising potential for enhancing psychological well-being
and social interaction among older adults, especially in institutional settings. However, its
effect on quality of life remains inconsistent. Further research using large-scale randomized
controlled trials (RCTs) with standardized outcome measures and longer follow-ups is
recommended to confirm and extend these findings.
