Effects of Laughter Therapy on Life Satisfaction and Loneliness in Older Adults Living in Nursing Homes in Turkey: A Parallel Group Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of laughter therapy on life satisfaction and loneliness in older adults living in nursing homes. DESIGN: A single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials NCT03687788) with a pretest-posttest design was conducted. METHODS: There were 31 experimental participants and 31 controls. The experimental group received laughter therapy twice a week for 6 weeks, along with usual care. The control group received usual care only. Loneliness was measured with the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and life satisfaction was measured with the Satisfaction With Life Scale. FINDINGS: After 6 weeks, there was a statistically significant difference in De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale total score between the two groups, and the subscale scores of the experimental group decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Laughter therapy may reduce loneliness in older adults. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, can potentially use laughter therapy to reduce loneliness in older adults.

A systematic review of the effect of laughter yoga on physical function and psychosocial outcomes in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Laughter yoga is one of the increasingly used methods among complementary health approaches in the world. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of laughter yoga on physical function and psychosocial outcomes in older adults. METHODS: In this systematic review, electronic searches were performed in CINAHL, Web of Science, COCHRANE, Scopus, ProQuest databases from May 2010 to May 2020. The screening process was conducted by two authors independently and finally agreed together. The review was reported according to PRISMA guideline. RESULTS: A total of 3210 studies were examined, and seven publications (six quasi experimental and one randomized control trial), in accordance with the inclusion criteria were included in the study and evaluated. The results indicated that significant differences were found in the effectiveness of laughter yoga on physical function (blood pressure, cortisol level, sleep quality) and psychosocial health (life satisfaction, quality of life, loneliness, death anxiety, depression, mood, happiness) in older adults. CONCLUSION: Laughter yoga is a cost-effective and no adverse effect in older adults. It can be used for health promotion for older adults.

The preliminary effects of laughter therapy on loneliness and death anxiety among older adults living in nursing homes: A nonrandomised pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the preliminary effect of laughter therapy on the level of loneliness and death anxiety of older adults. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The study participants were older adults living in two nursing homes set up by foundations located in the capital of Turkey. A total of 50 older adults formed the intervention group (n = 20) and control group (n = 30). The intervention group received laughter therapy twice a week for 5 weeks. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected using a socio-demographic form, the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) and the Turkish Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS). RESULTS: After laughter therapy, the DJGLS total and subscale (emotional and social loneliness) scores decreased among older adults in the intervention group (p < 0.005). While there were no significant differences for overall TDAS, death uncertainty and pain subscales scores between the intervention and control group after laughter therapy, there was a significant decrease in TDAS exposure subscale scores of the intervention group (p < 0.005). DISCUSSION: The results suggest that laughter therapy can be used to decrease levels of loneliness and death anxiety among older adults living in nursing homes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Anxiety regarding death and loneliness are important issues that affect quality of life in older adults. This first pilot study demonstrates the beneficial effects of laughter therapy on loneliness and death anxiety in nursing home residents. Nurses can incorporate laughter therapy into routine programmes in nursing homes.