Theater Therapy Enhances Emotional Well-Being in People with Parkinson's

Recent research conducted by a team at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, in collaboration with Hospital Sant Pau in Barcelona, highlights the positive impact of theater activities on the emotional health of individuals with Parkinson's disease. Published in Arts & Health, the study titled "Efficacy of a theatre-based intervention in patients with Parkinson's disease" is the first to evaluate the combined effects of active participation and passive engagement in theater on emotional, cognitive, and quality of life outcomes for these patients.

The study involved 34 participants aged 50 to 75 years, split into two groups: one attended a three-month theater program at the Teatre Lliure in Barcelona, which included performances, workshops, and guided tours; the other engaged in cognitive stimulation exercises at home. Both groups underwent assessments using neuropsychological tests and questionnaires before and after the interventions.

Results show that those involved in the theater program experienced significant improvements in emotional well-being, measured through the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). Notably, the theater group reported decreased emotional burden immediately after workshops, underlining theater's role as a powerful emotional outlet. Both groups displayed reduced depression and anxiety levels, indicating that both activities positively influence mood, though through different mechanisms.

The theater workshops focused on physical warm-ups, space exploration, emotion expression, storytelling, and improvisation, all led by professional theater practitioners. These activities aimed to enhance emotional expression and body awareness. The study emphasizes that the explicit emotional demands of theater and the group setting foster empathy and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for emotional health.

While no significant changes were observed in objective cognitive measures, participants reported seeing improvements in their perceived cognitive abilities, which can boost confidence in everyday tasks. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with high satisfaction scores for workshops, performances, and tours.

This research provides compelling evidence that arts-based activities, particularly theater, can serve as valuable adjunct therapies for Parkinson's disease, complementing traditional medical treatments. The findings align with the World Health Organization's recommendations of using arts as a 'social prescription' to improve overall health and well-being. As Parkinson's diagnoses rise—currently affecting over 120,000 to 150,000 in Spain alone—innovative approaches like theater intervention are vital for enhancing patients' quality of life.

Future studies aim to extend the duration of interventions, incorporate more comprehensive daily-life cognition measures, and explore the mechanisms behind these benefits, offering promising directions for integrating arts into holistic Parkinson's care.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-theater-emotional-symptoms-people-parkinson.html