A Short-Term Intervention to Enhance Cognitive and Affective Functioning in Older Adults
- 1 August 2004
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Aging and Health
- Vol. 16 (4) , 562-585
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264304265819
Abstract
Objective: This study was designed to investigate the benefits of a short-term intervention for older adults that targeted cognitive functioning and quality of life issues important for independent living. Method: One hundred twenty-four community-dwelling participants (aged 60 to 86) took part in one of three study conditions: theater arts (primary intervention), visual arts (non-content-specific comparison group), and no-treatment controls. Results: After 4 weeks of instruction, those given theater training made significantly greater gains than did no-treatment controls on both cognitive and psychological well-being measures. A comparison of theater and visual arts training showed fewer benefits in fewer areas for visual arts. Discussion: The authors suggest reasons why various aspects of theater training appear to enhance healthy aging.Keywords
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