Inspiring transformations through participation in drama for individuals with neuropalliative conditions

Purpose: The aim of the service evaluation was to use an occupational science focus to describe the effects of drama with variable levels of sensory content and a potentially active, rather than a passive, participant role on engagement by individuals with neuropalliative conditions.

Method: The service evaluation involved time sampled observations of engagement during a single session for each of the fourteen participants during a passive spectator role in the audience at a live drama, a potentially active interactive performance and a control condition.

Results: The observations of engagement showed a significant difference between the engagement scores for the control condition and the drama.

Conclusions: Whilst drama appears to be satisfying their engagement it depends on the role offered to them (e.g. potentially active versus passive), on the level of sensory stimulation offered and on the supporter to participant ratio available to facilitate their engagement.