Open AccessBeneficial effect of laughter therapy on physiological and psychological function in elders
Author(s) -
Yoshikawa Yuki,
Ohmaki Etsuko,
Kawahata Hirohisa,
Maekawa Yoshihiro,
Ogihara Toshio,
Morishita Ryuichi,
Aoki Motokuni
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
nursing open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.55
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2054-1058
DOI - 10.1002/nop2.190
Subject(s) - laughter , vitality , quality of life (healthcare) , medicine , physical therapy , older people , blood pressure , psychology , psychotherapist , gerontology , philosophy , theology , neuroscience
Aim In the present study we investigated the effect of laughter therapy on physiological and psychological function in older people. Design An open‐label trial. Methods Seventeen older people who regularly attended an elderly day care centre were recruited. Stand‐up comedy as laughter therapy was performed once a week for 4 weeks. Parameters of physiological and psychological function were evaluated before and after laughter therapy. Results Laughter therapy intervention resulted in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and heart rate, accompanied by a significant increase in plasma concentration of serotonin and a significant decrease in salivary concentration of chromogranin A. Questionnaire surveys of SF‐8, GDS‐15, and Vitality Index demonstrated alleviation of depression and improvement of sociability and activity in older people. Laughter therapy could be expected to become a practical treatment to improve quality of life of older people in an elderly day care centre.