International Journal of Community Based Nursing & Midwifery

International Journal of Community Based Nursing & Midwifery

The Effects of Laughter Therapy on General Health of Elderly People Referring to Jahandidegan Community Center in Shiraz, Iran, 2014: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Document Type : Original article

Authors
Fariba Ghodsbin 1
Zahra Sharif Ahmadi 2
Iran Jahanbin 3
Farkhondeh Sharif 4
1 Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Department of Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 Shiraz Geriatric Research Center, Department of Community Health Nursing, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4 Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Department of psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Background: Aging and its social-biological process naturally impair the functions of different body organs and cause progressive disabilities in managing personal affairs and performing social roles. Laughter therapy is an important strategy which has been recommended by experts for increasing health promotion in older adults. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of laughter therapy program on public health of senior citizens.Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 72 senior citizens aged 60 and over referring to Jahandidegan (Khold-e-Barin) retirement community center in Shiraz, southwest Iran during January to February 2014. The participants were assigned into experimental (N=36) and control (N=36) groups. Data were collected using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and demographic questionnaire. The participants of experimental group attended a laughter therapy program consisting of two 90-minute sessions per week lasting for 6 weeks.Results: We found a statistically significant correlation between laughter therapy program and factors such as general health (P=0.001), somatic symptoms (P=0.001), insomnia and anxiety (P=0.001). However, there was no statistically significant correlation among laughter therapy, social dysfunction (P=0.28) and depression (P=0.069).Conclusion: We concluded that laughter therapy can improve general health and its subscales in elderly people.Trial Registration Number:IRCT2014061111691N4 
Keywords
Elderly
General health
Laughter therapy