The Effect of Drama Therapy in Mental Illness and Quality of Life among Older Adult : A Systematic Review

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.