Here is a new study done by research scholars of a nursing college in Philippines that shows the effectiveness of laughter therapy in decreasing the levels of depression. The researchers were able to learn about how to conduct Laughter Yoga therapy (LYT) which was indeed an uplifting experience, not only because they used it to help other people but also because it can really brought out positive energies.

Through his help, the employees of Golden Acres Home for the Aged in Quezon City were also able to learn Laughter Yoga therapy so that there would be a continuous effort to decrease the level of depression among the residents in the elderly institution.

There were other researchers from different countries like Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong to share the new data that can be used for evidence-based practice in the nursing field. In fact, a lot of people were interested in the topic of Laughter Yoga emerging as a new therapy in decreasing depression and there was a lot of positive feedback to the study. They also expressed their desire to learn more about the benefits of Laughter Yoga and how it should be used to cater to different age groups and culture.

Here is an abstract of the study:

The Effectiveness of Laughter Yoga Therapy in Decreasing the Level of Depression among Institutionalized Geriatric Clients

Introduction: According to the American Psychological Association, depression is one of the most common mental disorders among geriatric clients. Though there are numerous researches on the effectiveness of laughter yoga therapy physiologically, psychological studies are scant. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of laughter yoga therapy in decreasing the level of depression among institutionalized geriatric clients.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design was utilized. Ten participants were purposely selected from an elderly institution in Quezon City, Philippines using the eligibility criteria and pre-testing. Laughter yoga therapy was conducted for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks for a total of 15 sessions. Post-test was done at the end of each week.

Results: Majority (70%) of the participants are moderately depressed before laughter yoga therapy was implemented. At the end of 15 sessions of laughter yoga therapy, results (p = 0.016) show a significant difference in the level of depression of institutionalized geriatric clients before and after implementation.

Conclusion: Laughter yoga therapy is an effective intervention in decreasing the level of depression of the institutionalized geriatric participants. Laughter yoga therapy can be considered as a good group therapy because it involves interpersonal communication and can be used in other geriatric institutions to promote good relationship among other geriatric clients and caretakers of the institution.

Eden I. Beltran, RN, MAN1,2, Lemuel C. Cheng1, Nicole Allyson A. Chua1, Robby Nico Y. Chua1*, Stacy Jane C. Chua1, Mari Begonia A. Cinco1

1 University of Santo Tomas - College of Nursing

2 University of Santo Tomas - Graduate School

*Corresponding Author (Email: robby_chua05@yahoo.com Contact no.: 63915-126-8640/ 63922-892-5682)

Address: College of Nursing, St. Martin de Porres Building, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Sampaloc, Manila 1015