The Effectiveness of a Laughter Therapy Program : Focusing on Depression, Cognitive Function and Pulmonary Function among Elderly Patients

Abstract

Purpose: This study was aimed at constructing and examining the effects of a laughter therapy program for elderly patients in long-term care hospitals. Methods: A prospective, two-group quasi-experimental design was used and 50 patients (25 experimental and 25 control group patients) from two long-term care hospitals in Gyeonggido province, South Korea, were study participants. The experimental group received 24 laughter therapy sessions twice a week for 12 weeks, and the control group received laughter therapy after data collection. Data were collected between May 26 and August 17, 2014. Results: The level of cognitive function for the experimental group increased(t=3.27, p=.002). The level of forced vital capacity (t=2.78, p=.008) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (t=4.94, p<.001) increased among members of the experimental group. Conclusion: These results indicated that the laughter program was effective in improving cognitive and pulmonary functions among older patients who were receiving long-term care in hospitals. This program could be used for community-based elderly patients