Theatrical Engagement Improves Emotional Health in Parkinson's Patients

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and the Hospital Sant Pau in Barcelona has revealed that theater activities can significantly enhance the emotional well-being of individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The research, titled "Efficacy of a theater-based intervention in patients with Parkinson's disease" and published in 2025 in the journal Arts & Health, marks a pioneering evaluation of how both active and passive participation in theater can impact the emotional and cognitive health of these patients.

The study involved a sample of 34 participants aged between 50 and 75 years, who were divided into two groups. One group engaged in a three-month theater program at the Teatre Lliure in Barcelona, which included performances, workshops, and guided tours. The other group performed cognitive stimulation exercises at home. The participants were assessed using validated neuropsychological tests and questionnaires regarding their mood, quality of life, and perceived changes before and after the intervention.

According to Dr. Marco Calabria, a researcher at UOC and lead author of the study, the findings demonstrated that participants involved in theater activities reported significant improvements in emotional well-being, as measured by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire for Quality of Life (PDQ-39). In contrast, the group that engaged solely in cognitive exercises did not exhibit the same level of improvement. Furthermore, both groups experienced reductions in depression and anxiety, indicating that while both activities fostered improved mood states, the theater program had a distinctly stronger impact on emotional health.

The most substantial benefits were observed in participants attending group theater workshops, with emotional burdens decreasing notably after sessions. This highlights the potential of theater as a therapeutic avenue for channeling emotions. The researchers noted that group activities foster feelings of connection and support among participants, which in turn enhances emotional resilience and empathy, as many shared similar challenges associated with Parkinson's.

The theater program consisted of five performances coupled with preparatory sessions and five workshops led by professional theater practitioners. These workshops focused on physical and emotional expression through group dynamics, body awareness, improvisation, and storytelling. The emotional benefits can be attributed to the dual factors of required emotional expression and the supportive group environment.

Although the study did not find significant improvements in objective cognitive tests, subjective enhancements in perceived cognitive abilities were noted. Participants expressed increased confidence in their daily tasks following the theater intervention. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with the workshops receiving an average score of 4.5 out of 5, indicating high satisfaction levels with the experience.

The study's methodology employed rigorous assessments using clinically validated questionnaires, ensuring reliability in the results. Researchers emphasize the need for future studies to expand the duration of interventions and include ecological measures of cognition, which assess functioning in everyday life.

This research aligns with the World Health Organization's recommendations since 2019, advocating for the arts as a means of improving health and well-being. With approximately 10,000 new diagnoses of Parkinson's disease in Spain each year, understanding how to enhance the quality of life for affected individuals remains a critical challenge for the scientific community. According to the Spanish Neurology Society, the number of patients is projected to double in the coming years, underscoring the urgency of such research. This study not only contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of the arts but also emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary approaches in treating chronic health conditions like Parkinson's disease.