Impact of Laughter Yoga on Test Anxiety and Education Stress of 8th Grade Students: An Experimental Study.

Objective: In an exam-based education system, it is of utmost importance to identify levels of test anxiety and educational stress that directly affect success, and to reduce anxiety. A study was conducted to examine the effects of laughter yoga on test anxiety and educational stress in 8th grade students in Turkey. Methods: A cluster sampling, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with pre-test/post-test design studied 64 students (32 in the intervention group and 32 in the control group). The intervention group received laughter yoga sessions twice a week for 6 weeks. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected by a demographic questionnaire, the Westside Test Anxiety Scale, and the Educational Stress Scale. Results: After laughter yoga, the intervention group showed a significant decrease in test anxiety (d = 0.859; p < 0.005) and educational stress scores (d = 0.52875; p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Conclusion: Laughter yoga was associated with decreased test anxiety and educational stress. Laughter yoga activities in schools are recommended to decrease educational stress and test anxiety of students.

Mind-Body Therapies in the Management of Otolaryngologic Disease: A State-of-the-Art Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: To review and assess the peer-reviewed literature on the utility of mind-body therapy (MBT) as an adjunct treatment in the management of otolaryngologic disease. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. REVIEW METHODS: Randomized control trials (RCTs) of MBTs in the management of otolaryngologic disease from 2002 to 2022 were identified and included according to predefined criteria. Interventions requiring expensive equipment were excluded because the goal of MBT is to be cost-conscious. All studies were subjected to a two-stage blinded screening, extraction, and appraisal process. The outcomes of the intervention and control groups were compared. CONCLUSION: RCTs of MBTs, including breathing exercises (4), aromatherapy (2), biofeedback (2), meditation, (2), and yoga (2), have been studied in several otolaryngologic conditions, including septoplasty/rhinoplasty (3), head and neck cancer (2), facial palsy (2), and tinnitus (2). Most studies were of moderate risk of bias on appraisal, and each MBT studied was found to significantly reduce subjective and objective distress associated with the otolaryngologic condition in question. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Despite a paucity of strong evidence supporting the universal use of MBTs, our review suggests that MBTs are cost-effective and easily deployable complementary tools in the management of otolaryngologic disease. Future large, methodologically rigorous RCTs are needed to address the limitations of the included studies, such as improper blinding and inappropriate statistical analysis. As MBTs are studied further, a case for their current use can be made because of their low cost and minimal risk to patients.

Effects of Laughter Therapy on Improving Negative Emotions Associated with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: With aging and growth of the population, the risk of cancer incidence and mortality is rapidly increasing. However, psychosocial treatment has been seriously neglected in many healthcare settings. Laughter therapy is a therapeutic program to improve emotional wellbeing and health which has been applied as a complementary treatment. We aim to explore effects of laughter therapy for patients with cancer on their negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, stress, pain, and fatigue. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, WANFANG data, Weipu (VIP), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and independently rated the risk of bias in every article using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Review Manager and STATA software were used to pool the individually included studies. RESULTS: Seven studies were found eligible to be included in the present review. Overall, study quality was relatively high. Our findings suggest that laughter therapy might have a positive effect on improving emotional response in cancer patients. Arguably, laughter therapy, whether humor or laughter, has a positive effect on anxiety, stress, pain feeling, fatigue, and depression in cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laughter therapy is a convenient, multi-modality, flexible-duration therapy to improve negative emotions in cancer patients, regardless of their gender, age, and type of cancer.

[Beneficios de la terapia de la risa en los niveles de depresión en niños diagnosticados con cáncer: estudio de caso.] / Benefits of laughing therapy on depression levels in children diagnosed with cancer: a case study.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric cancer emotionally affects infants causing depression which must be intervened in a timely manner as an essential part of the treatment. Therefore, the present study sought to identify the benefits of laughter therapy on the levels of depression in children diagnosed with cancer in a foundation in Cali, Colombia. METHODS: The sample consisted of six children undergoing cancer treatment, aged between eight and twelve years. The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and three laughter therapy workshops were applied. A descriptive analysis was performed, with measures of central tendency for quantitative variables and absolute and relative frequencies for categorical variables. RESULTS: The results indicated that 83% of the children presented an emotional problem due to the disease; favorable changes were evidenced in the depression scores after the laughter therapy interventions. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that laughter therapy is an effective non-pharmacological treatment when combined with workshops aimed at strengthening the expression of emotions, self-esteem and life project, which not only improves the health of children, but also prevents and reduces the appearance of emotional disorders.

OBJETIVO: El cáncer pediátrico afecta emocionalmente a los infantes causando depresión, la cual se debe intervenir oportunamente como parte fundamental del tratamiento. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio buscó identificar los beneficios de la terapia de la risa en los niveles de depresión en niños y niñas diagnosticados con cáncer de una fundación de Cali, Colombia. METODOS: La muestra estuvo conformada por seis niños en tratamiento oncológico, con edades entre los ocho y doce años. Se aplicó el Inventario de Depresión Infantil (CDI) y tres talleres de risoterapia. Se realizo un análisis descriptivo, para las variables cuantitativas se realizaron medidas de tendencia central y para las categóricas se reportaron frecuencias absolutas y relativas. RESULTADOS: Los resultados indicaron que el 83% de los niños presentaron un problema emocional debido a la enfermedad; se evidenciaron cambios favorables en los puntajes de depresión posterior a las intervenciones de la terapia de la risa. CONCLUSIONES: Se concluye que la terapia de la risa es un tratamiento no farmacológico eficaz al combinarse con talleres orientados a fortalecer la expresión de las emociones, autoestima y proyecto de vida, que no solo permite mejorar la salud de los infantes, sino que previne y reduce la aparición de trastornos emocionales.

Beneficios de la terapia de la risa en los niveles de depresión en niños diagnosticados con cáncer: estudio de caso / Benefits of laughing therapy on depression levels in children diagnosed with cancer: a case study

Fundamentos: El cáncer pediátrico afecta emocionalmente a los infantes causando depresión, la cual se debe intervenir oportunamente como parte fundamental del tratamiento. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio buscó identificar los beneficios de la terapia dela risa en los niveles de depresión en niños y niñas diagnosticados con cáncer de una fundación de Cali, Colombia. Métodos: La muestra estuvo conformada por seis niños en tratamiento oncológico, con edades entre los ocho y doce años. Se aplicó elInventario de Depresión Infantil (CDI) y tres talleres de risoterapia. Se realizo un análisis descriptivo, para las variablescuantitativas se realizaron medidas de tendencia central y para las categóricas se reportaron frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Resultados: Los resultados indicaron que el 83% de los niños presentaron un problema emocional debido a la enfermedad; seevidenciaron cambios favorables en los puntajes de depresión posterior a las intervenciones de la terapia de la risa. Conclusiones: Se concluye que la terapia de la risa es un tratamiento no farmacológico eficaz al combinarse con talleresorientados a fortalecer la expresión de las emociones, autoestima y proyecto de vida, que no solo permite mejorar la salud de losinfantes, sino que previne y reduce la aparición de trastornos emocionales.(AU)

Background: Pediatric cancer emotionally affects infants causing depression which must be intervened in a timely manner asan essential part of the treatment. Therefore, the present study sought to identify the benefits of laughter therapy on the levels ofdepression in children diagnosed with cancer in a foundation in Cali, Colombia. Methods: The sample consisted of six children undergoing cancer treatment, aged between eight and twelve years. TheChildren’sDepression Inventory (CDI) and three laughter therapy workshops were applied. A descriptive analysis was performed, with measures ofcentral tendency for quantitative variables and absolute and relative frequencies for categorical variables. Results: The results indicated that 83% of the children presented an emotional problem due to the disease; favorable changeswere evidenced in the depression scores after the laughter therapy interventions. Conclusions: It is concluded that laughter therapy is an effective non-pharmacological treatment when combined with works-hops aimed at strengthening the expression of emotions, self-esteem and life project, which not only improves the health of children,but also prevents and reduces the appearance of emotional disorders.(AU)

The impact of humor therapy on people suffering from depression or anxiety: An integrative literature review.

OBJECTIVES: To identify and synthesize existing research on the effectiveness and feasibility of multiform humor therapy on people suffering from depression or anxiety, with the hope of benefiting future research. METHODS: An integrative literature review of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed studies was performed. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched up to March 2022. Two independent reviewers conducted each stage of the review process, by assessing eligibility using preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and quality appraisal using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and data extraction. RESULTS: In this integrative review, 29 papers were included, containing 2964 participants across a diverse range of studies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. The articles were from the United States, Australia, Italy, Turkey, South Korea, Iran, Israel, China, and Germany. The findings indicated that most of the subjects thought humor therapy was effective in improving depression and anxiety while a few participants considered the effect insignificant. However, more high-quality studies will be needed to confirm these conclusions. DISCUSSION: This review collated and summarized findings from studies examining the impact of humor therapy (medical clowns, laughter therapy/yoga) on people with depression or anxiety, including children undergoing surgery or anesthesia, older people in nursing homes, patients with Parkinson's disease, cancer, mental illness, and undergoing dialysis, retired women, and college students. The results from this review may help inform future research, policy, and practice in humor therapy to improve people's symptoms of depression and anxiety. IMPACT: This systematic review objectively evaluated the effect of humor therapy on depression and anxiety. As a simple and feasible complementary alternative therapy, humor therapy may provide a favorable alternative for clinicians, nurses, and patients in the future.

Humor-based interventions for patients undergoing hemodialysis: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: There is evidence that humor interventions can impact chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Synthesize relevant literature to understand the elements and mechanisms of implementation of humor interventions. METHODS: Relevant peer-reviewed articles were searched. Data were extracted according to the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 261 articles. Nine were included in the scoping review. The studies included laughter (n = 5) and humorous video interventions (n = 4) in a face-to-face group format. The tailoring and fidelity process needs to be more detailed in most studies. None of the studies mentioned the theoretical basis. The humor videos were provided by nurses and required various types of equipment. The video interventions were conducted during dialysis. The laughter intervention consisted of 3-4 themes guided by qualified therapists. The timing of the laughter intervention is chosen based on the patient's dialysis schedule and is maintained for 30 min. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the current study somewhat limit the understanding, replication, and implementation of evidence-based humor interventions. Future studies need to clarify the theoretical basis, tailoring, fidelity, and control groups. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Ongoing reporting and evaluation of the implementation of humor interventions may help better understand their underlying mechanisms.

Celestina, SUS e Sertão: uma experiência de palhaçaria na educação popular em saúde / Celestina, SUS and Sertão: a therapy clown experiment in popular education in health

Resumo Objetivo de promover reflexão sobre a palhaçaria, à luz da Educação Popular em Saúde. Descreve e analisa intervenções realizadas entre outubro de 2020 e dezembro de 2021, com usuários e servidores públicos no Sertão Central. A palhaça abriu alas para a territorialização e se mostrou potente tecnologia para uma atuação humanizada da enfermeira residente. Como interlocutora entre o saber científico e o popular, em sua corporalidade cenopoética, lidava de forma criativa e leve com assuntos tabus para a saúde comunitária, promovendo uma educação problematizadora e dialógica com seu público. A experiência fez-nos refletir nas lacunas de investimentos para viabilizar projetos como esse, fortalecendo a institucionalização da Educação Popular em Saúde. Assim, defendemos a implementação de formações e oficinas sobre conceitos, desafios e potencialidades da Educação Popular em Saúde. A palhaçaria, como proposta de atuação, é tecnologia transformadora que inspira o protagonismo à comunidade por meio de conhecimento, cuidado amoroso e arte.

Abstract The scope of this paper is to elicit reflection on therapy clowns in the realm of Popular Education in Health. It describes and analyzes interventions conducted between October 2020 and December 2021 between civil service workers and patients in the Sertão Central hinterlands. Therapy clowning paved the way as a potent technology for humanized care treatment by the resident nurse. As an intermediary between scientific and popular knowledge, in its scenopoetic approach, it dealt creatively and humorously with taboo subjects for community health, promoting a light-hearted interaction experience with its audience. The experience revealed some points about the scarcity of investment to make projects like this viable, thereby empowering the institutionalization of Popular Education in Health. For this reason, we advocate the implementation of training sessions and workshops on concepts, challenges, and potentialities in Popular Education in Health. Therapy clowning, as a proposed action, is a transformative technology that inspires a proactive approach in the community through knowledge, loving care, and art.

The effect of online laughter therapy on depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness among nursing students during the Covid-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Nursing students experienced mental symptoms when they switched to distance education due to the pandemic. AIMS: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of online laughter therapy sessions on depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness levels in first-year nursing students. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 61 healthy nursing students were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 32) and control groups (n = 29). The intervention group received online laughter therapy twice weekly for four weeks. The control group received no intervention. The data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale at the study initiation and week four in both groups. RESULTS: There was no difference between the mean scores of the groups in the pre-test (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between groups in terms of depression after online laughter therapy sessions (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between anxiety, stress, and loneliness levels (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Online laughter therapy sessions significantly reduced depression but had no effect on anxiety, stress, and loneliness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online laughter therapy can be organized to reduce depression levels.

Effects of Simulated Laughter Therapy Using a Breathing Exercise: A Study on Hospitalized Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients.

This study evaluated the effects of simulated laughter therapy on physical symptoms, pulmonary function, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among pulmonary tuberculosis patients. This quasi-experimental study assigned tuberculosis patients of hospital A to a laughter group (n = 26) and those of hospital B to a control group (n = 26). The eight-week laughter therapy, held twice a week in a 60-min group session, included laughter, entertainment, music-related chorusing, breathing exercises, and meditation. The values of physical symptoms, pulmonary function, depression, and HRQOL from before and after the therapy were analyzed using the paired t-test and the Mann−Whitney U-test. To verify group differences between the experiment and control group, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were employed. Unlike the control group, laughter therapy decreased physical symptoms (t = 7.30, p < 0.01) and increased pulmonary function (t = −3.77, p < 0.01). Psychological health also improved, including depression (t = 10.46, p < 0.01) and HRQOL (t = −9.31, p < 0.01) in the experimental group but not in the control group. Group differences of changes in physical symptoms, pulmonary function, depression, and HRQOL were also significant. Simulated laughter therapy can help moderate depression and physical symptoms and enhance pulmonary function among tuberculosis patients.

The effect of laughter therapy on nursing students' anxiety, satisfaction with life, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: Randomized controlled study.

Background: Changes in routine due to the pandemic have increased nursing students' anxiety about clinical learning. The inadequacy experienced before graduation caused them to experience high levels of anxiety characterized by feelings of insecurity and unhappiness and negatively affected their life satisfaction. Methodological studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of laughter therapy, which is effective in reducing anxiety and stress, on the online platform. The current study protocol was designed to evaluate the effect of online laughter therapy on anxiety, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Methods: Forty students were selected for the intervention group and forty students for the control group by assigning 1:1 with a real random number selector among 140 senior nursing students who made up the universe. The intervention group received ten sessions of online laughter therapy two days a week for five weeks. Participants in the control group did not receive any intervention during the study. Data were obtained at the beginning of the study and after five weeks with the 'State-Trait Anxiety Inventory', 'Satisfaction with Life Scale' and 'Psychological Well-Being Scale'. Results: After laughter therapy, the intervention result showed a significant increase in life satisfaction and psychological well-being scores (p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in anxiety scores (p < 0.001) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The study reveals that online laughter therapy significantly positively affects nursing students' anxiety, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being.

Efficacy of laughter-inducing interventions in patients with somatic or mental health problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laughter-inducing interventions hold promise as affordable and easy to implement treatments for a range of ailments. The aim of this study was to build on meta-analytic evidence for the efficacy of such interventions in treating somatic or mental health patients. METHODS: Studies eligible for the meta-analysis were identified by a comprehensive literature search in MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO and by a manual search (date of last search 22/06/2021). All randomized controlled trials comparing spontaneous laughter or simulated laughter to treatment as usual, no treatment/waitlist, or attention control groups were included. There were no language or date restrictions. Separate random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for mental health, physiological, and physical health outcomes. Hedges' g is reported as the standardized mean difference estimate. The study was registered on PROSPERO (#CRD42019139299). RESULTS: Forty-five studies comprising 2,547 randomized participants were included. Laughter-inducing interventions showed significant positive effects on mental health (31 studies, 1,543 patients, g = 0.74, 95% CI [0.48; 1.00], I2 = 81%), physiological (14 studies, 761 patients, g = 0.61 [0.20; 1.03], I2 = 86%), and physical health outcomes (21 studies, 1,105 patients, g = 0.59 [0.30; 0.88], I2 = 80%). Only one study reported adverse events, which were mild in nature. CONCLUSION: Laughter-inducing interventions can have beneficial effects on a variety of health-related outcomes including mental health, physical health, and physiological parameters. Future research should focus on examining differential intervention effects and mechanisms of action.

The effect of laughter therapy on happiness and self-esteem level in 5th grade students.

PROBLEM: The study was conducted to examine the effects of laughter therapy on happiness level and self-esteem in 5th grade students. METHODS: This study used an experimental study with pretest posttest control group. The study population consisted of 5th grade students studying at a secondary school in Turkey. There were six branches in the 5th grade. Groups were randomly selected from among these 5th grade classes to include 29 students in the intervention group and 32 in the control group. Laughter therapy sessions were applied to the intervention group twice a week for 4 weeks. No intervention was offered to the control group. The data were collected by a questionnaire, the School Children's Happiness Inventory, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. RESULTS: It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the School Children's Happiness Inventory (p < .05) but no significant difference was found according to the groups' scores on the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was determined that laughter therapy increased the happiness level of students yet had no effect on their self-esteem. It is recommended to organize laughter therapy activities in schools to increase the happiness levels of students.

Impact of Laughter Therapy on Anxiety and Pain in Pediatric Dentistry: A Double-Blinded Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effect of laughter therapy on reducing anxiety and pain during dental procedures in children 5-7 years of age. Material and Methods: 48 children aged 5-7 years were included in this cross-over double-blinded clinical trial after the parents completed the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorder questionnaire (SCARED). After allocation into two groups: laughter intervention (A) and neutral intervention (B), the anxiety as well as pain were determined by Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale Faces questionnaire (MCDASF) and the Wong-Baker Faces Scale, respectively. Also, the child's behavior during the treatment was recorded using the Sound, Eye, Motor scale (SEM). Data were analyzed by SPSS 21 using Paired t-test, Independent t-test, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon's test. Results: The mean score of anxiety in the laughter intervention group (17.42±2.74) was significantly less than (22.06±2.16) in the neutral intervention group (p=0.000) and lower in boys in both groups (p=0.000, p=0.047). The mean pain severity reported by the children in the neutral intervention group (5.33±1.81) was higher than in the laughter intervention group (2.38±1.87; p=0.00) and higher in girls in both groups (p=0.02; p=0.03). Conclusion: The laughter intervention before dental procedures had a significant effect on reducing anxiety and pain during dental treatment (AU).

Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation and laughter therapy on mental health and treatment outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial.

A majority of infertile women experience emotional problems, such as anxiety and depression. Nurses need nonpharmacological methods rather than drugs to address women's emotional distress during the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises and laughter therapy on the mental health and treatment outcomes of women receiving IVF treatment. This parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a private IVF center. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG; n = 71) and control group (CG; n = 70). The IG received progressive muscle relaxation and laughter therapy for 40 min in each session for 3-4 sessions, whereas the CG received routine care. Data were obtained from the patient information form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and medical records. The questionnaire was completed at recruitment (T1) and oocyte pick-up day (T2). In the evaluation performed on the day of the oocyte pick-up, depression and trait anxiety scores of the IG were found to be lower than those in the CG, and the effect size was small. Group × time interaction was significant for depression (large effect size) and trait anxiety (small effect size). The estradiol levels, the number of oocytes, transfer status, and pregnancy rates (according to a blood test) were similar between groups. Women receiving IVF treatment who received progressive muscle relaxation and laughter therapy demonstrated psychological changes; however, the treatment did not affect medical outcomes.

Effects of clown activities on patients eligible for palliative care in primary health care / Efectos de actividades clown en pacientes elegibles para cuidados paliativos en la atención primaria de salud / Efeitos de atividades clown em pacientes elegíveis para cuidados paliativos na atenção primária à saúde

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluate the effects of clown activities on quality of life, depression, stress, anxiety, aid, and social support in patients eligible for palliative care (PC) attended in Primary Health Care (PHC). Method: A quasi-experimental study, with pre-intervention and post-intervention evaluation, carried out with 16 patients eligible for early PC in PHC in a Midwestern city. Patients received 24 visits with home-based clown activities. Results: The interventions evidenced improved quality of life and social support, with significant results for the Social Activities dimension (p = 0.023). Increased scores for Anxiety (p = 0.007) and Depression (p = 0.023) were also observed. Conclusion: Clown activities can bring positive results for the quality of life and social support of patients eligible for PC at home. They should be encouraged to interact with family knowledge and enhance humanized care, integral and centered on human relationships in PHC.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar efectos de actividades clown en calidad de vida, depresión, estrés, ansiedad, apoyo y soporte social en pacientes elegibles para cuidados paliativos (CP) atendidos en Atención Primaria de Salud (APS). Método: Estudio cuasi-experimental, con evaluación preintervención y posintervención, realizado con 16 pacientes elegibles para CP precoces en la APS en municipio del medio oeste. Pacientes recibieron 24 visitas con actividades clown domiciliarias. Resultados: Intervenciones evidenciaron mejora de la calidad de vida y del suporte social, con resultados significativos para la dimensión Actividades Sociales (p = 0,023). También se observó aumento de puntuación para Ansiedad (p = 0,007) y Depresión (p = 0,023). Conclusión: Actividades clown pueden traer resultados positivos a la calidad de vida y suporte social de pacientes elegibles para CP en domicilio. Deben ser incentivadas para interaccionar con el saber familiar y potencializar el cuidado humanizado, integral y centrado de las relaciones humanas en la APS.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de atividades clown na qualidade de vida, depressão, estresse, ansiedade, apoio e suporte social em pacientes elegíveis para cuidados paliativos (CP) atendidos na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). Método: Estudo quase-experimental, com avaliação pré-intervenção e pós-intervenção, realizado com 16 pacientes elegíveis para CP precoces na APS em um município do Centro-Oeste. Os pacientes receberam 24 visitas com atividades clown domiciliares. Resultados: As intervenções evidenciaram melhora da qualidade de vida e do suporte social, com resultados significativos para a dimensão Atividades sociais (p = 0,023). Também observou-se aumento de pontuação para Ansiedade (p = 0,007) e Depressão (p = 0,023). Conclusão: As atividades clown podem trazer resultados positivos para a qualidade de vida e suporte social de pacientes elegíveis para CP em domicílio. Devem ser incentivadas para interagir com o saber das famílias e potencializar o cuidado humanizado, integral e centrado das relações humanas na APS.

Incongruent Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Cortisol in Schizophrenia: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Laughter Intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia has been associated with dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Furthermore, alterations in neurotrophic factors might contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We aimed to evaluate the effects of a simulated laughter intervention on the levels of cortisol and BDNF and to determine whether the effects associated with simulated laughter could be sustained after discontinuation of the intervention. METHODS: In this randomized controlled study, patients with schizophrenia according to DSM-IV clinical criteria were randomly assigned to receive either 8-week-long simulated laughter intervention (n=32) or treatment-as-usual group (control group, n=27). The serum levels of BDNF and cortisol were measured at baseline, week 8, and four weeks after discontinuation (week 12) of the intervention program. RESULTS: After an 8-week simulated laughter intervention, the laughter group had significantly higher levels of BDNF; however, four weeks after discontinuation of the intervention, the levels of BDNF significantly dropped. Interestingly, the levels of cortisol did not change significantly at week 8, but they were significantly elevated at week 12. The levels of BDNF and cortisol in the control group did not change significantly between week 0 and week 8. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the simulated laughter intervention has an early effect on neurogenesis with a significant delayed effect on stress regulation in subjects with schizophrenia.

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.

A terapia do riso como ferramenta de cuidado com a criança hospitalizada: revisão integrativa da literatura / La risoterapia como herramienta de atención para niños hospitalizados: una revisión bibliográfica integradora / Laughter therapy as a care tool for hospitalized children: an integrative literature review

Objetivo: Investigar, na literatura nacional e internacional, o uso da terapia do riso junto às crianças hospitalizadas. Método: Revisão integrativa da literatura. As bases de dados pesquisadas foram MEDLINE®, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO®, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Banco de Dados em Enfermagem ­ Bibliografia Brasileira e Índice Bibliográfico Español em Ciencias de la Salud. Os termos utilizados identificados nos Descritores em Ciência da Saúde e nos Medical Subject Headings foram "terapia do riso", "criança", "pré-escolar" e "criança hospitalizada", além das palavras-chave "risoterapia", "riso-terapia" e "riso terapia" em diferentes combinações. O recorte temporal foi de 10 anos, a partir de 2008. Resultados: A amostra final para a análise foi constituída de 17 artigos, que foram organizados em três categorias: Risoterapia como estratégia para a diminuição da dor, do desconforto e do sofrimento; A diminuição do medo, do estresse e da ansiedade com a risoterapia e O Impacto psicossocial da risoterapia na criança hospitalizada. Conclusão: Foi possível perceber benefícios da terapia que incluem diminuição da dor, do estresse e da ansiedade e mudanças emocionais e sociais. Salienta-se a importância da temática, por meio da qual é possível oferecer ao paciente pediátrico um cuidado integral e humanizado.(AU)

Objective: To investigate, in the Brazilian and international literature, the use of laughter therapy with hospitalized children. Methods: An integrative literature review. The databases searched were MEDLINE®, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO®, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Banco de Dados em Enfermagem ­ Bibliografia Brasileira and Índice Bibliográfico Español em Ciencias de la Salud. The index terms used on Descritores em Ciência da Saúde and Medical Subject Headings were "laughter therapy", "child", "preschool" and "hospitalized child", and the keywords "risotherapy" in different combinations. The timeframe was 10 years, starting from 2008. Results: The final sample for analysis consisted of 17 papers, organized into three categories: laughter therapy as a strategy to reduce pain, discomfort and suffering; Decreased fear, stress, and anxiety with laughter therapy; and the psychosocial impact of laughter therapy on hospitalized children. Conclusion: Some observed benefits from laughter therapy include decreased levels of pain, stress, and anxiety, as well as emotional and social changes. We emphasize the importance of this theme since it provides pediatric patients with a comprehensive and humanized care(AU)

Objetivo: Investigar en la literatura nacional e internacional el uso de la risoterapia con niños hospitalizados. Metodología: Revisión integrativa de literatura. Las bases de datos establecidas fueron: MEDLINE®, Cumulative Indexto Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO®, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Banco de Dados em Enfermagem ­ Bibliografia Brasileira e Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud. Los descriptores utilizados identificados en los Descritores em Ciência da Saúde y Medical Subject Headings fueron: "terapia de la risa", "niño", "preescolar" y "hospitalizado", y la palabra clave "risoterapia" en sus diferentes combinaciones. El plazo fue de 10 años, a partir de 2008. Resultados: La muestra final para el análisis consistió en 17 artículos, agrupados en tres categorías: La risoterapia como estrategia para reducir el dolor, las molestias y el sufrimiento; Disminución del miedo, el estrés y la ansiedad con la risoterapia y El impacto psicosocial de la risoterapia en los niños hospitalizados. Conclusión: Fue posible obtener beneficios de la terapia que incluyen disminución del dolor, estrés, ansiedad y cambios emocionales y sociales. Se enfatiza la importancia del tema porque a través de él es posible ofrecer a los pacientes pediátricos una atención integral y humanizada..(AU)

Effect of Laughter Therapy on Depression and Quality of Life of the Elderly Living in Nursing Homes.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are common among the elderly with serious symptoms of depression and social isolation. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of laughter therapy (LT) on depression and quality of life (QOL) of the elderly living in Abadeh nursing homes. METHODS: This is a controlled semi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test design. Ninety eligible ones of the elderly living in the Abadeh nursing homes and from July to September 2017, entered the study. Some of the criteria for entering the study include being over 60 years old, orientation, not having blindness and deafness, lack of physical and mental problems. After determining the intervention and control groups, the scale of depression and QOL was administered to the subjects and their scores were collected in the pre-test. RESULTS: Most of the study samples were in the intervention (35.55%) and control (37.77%) group in the age range of 60-69 years. In both intervention and control groups, respectively, 31.11% and 68.88% elderly were males and females. The mean scores of depression in the intervention group after LT (M = 2.57) were lower than those before the intervention (M = 6.87) [CI = -5.58-(-3.02)] and also the results of independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference before and after the intervention between the two groups (P < 0.001). The mean score of dimensions of QOL after LT was higher than that before in the intervention and there was a statistically significant difference in all dimensions with paired t-test (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Since the implementation of this programme could improve the mental status and QOL of the elderly, this method of therapy can be used as an alternative or complementary model to enhance the health of the elderly.