Playfulness in Online and Face-to-face Interactions, From Adulthood to Aging

Summary

Playful interactions have an important role in human sociality. During playful interactions, two individuals continuously co-create an imaginary world together, such as playing roles in an imaginary scene or co-creating synchronized movements together. Playful interactions are characterized by an enhanced sense of flow and joy and have been associated with physical and psychological well-being across the lifespan. This research team and others have shown that playful interactions are particularly beneficial for the older population, which are at higher risk of cognitive decline and social isolation. The overarching aim of this proposal is to conduct an in-depth investigation of the effects of playful interactions, in older population. Specifically the investigators will test the effect of short playful interaction on cognitive measures, as well as social and affective indices, and compare them to a non-playful interaction (such exercise class, or personal conversation).

Conditions

• Aging
• Cognitive Function 1, Social
• Social Behavior
• Aging Well
• Executive Function

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Playful interactions in an online format

The activity is grounded in dramatic improvisation and comprises several games: a ball game, an association game, a mirror game, a movement story game. The intervention will be conducted by zoom

BEHAVIORAL

An active control condition in a face-to-face format

The activity consisted of three parts: A structured conversation centered around hobbies. In the second part an exercise in words - singular plural. In the third part, participants will be engaged in a movement practice resembling an exercise class.

BEHAVIORAL

An active control condition in an online format

The activity consisted of three parts: A structured conversation centered around hobbies. In the second part an exercise in words - singular plural. In the third part, participants will be engaged in a movement practice resembling an exercise class. The intervention will be conducted conducted by zoom

BEHAVIORAL

Playful interactions in a face to face format

The activity is grounded in dramatic improvisation and comprises several games: a ball game, an association game, a mirror game, a movement story game.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Haifa

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-01-20

Primary Completion

2023-10-05

Completion

2023-10-05

Countries

• Israel

Study Locations