Effects of Laughter Therapy on Depression, Quality of Life, Resilience and Immune Responses in Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, the effects of laughter therapy on levels of depression, quality of life, resilience and immune responses in breast cancer survivors were examined. Methods: A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group, pretest-posttest design was used. Participants (n= 37) included breast cancer survivors who finished chemotheraphy and radiation therapy: 16 in the experiment group and 21 in the control group. Data were collected from August to November 2009. The experimental group participated in laughter therapy eight times, twice a week for 60 min per session. Questionnaires were used to measure pretest and posttest levels of depression, quality of life and resilience. A blood test was used to analyze changes in Total T cell, T helper, T suppressor, Th/Ts ratio, Total B cell, T cell/B cell ratio and NK cell for immune responses. Results: The results showed that laughter therapy was effective in increasing the quality of life and resilience in breast cancer survivors. but depression and immune responses did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that laughter therapy may be an effective nursing intervention to improve quality of life and resilience in breast cancer survivors.

Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review

“…A depressed feeling is an emotional response of being sad, hopeless, frustrated, or dispirited, which are almost relieved when situations improve, but depression is a disease, where neurotransmitters in the brain, such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, are reduced and there is something wrong in the mood control circuit of the brain. It is a disease that weakens both mind and body, including physical symptoms, moods, and thoughts (Cho and Oh 2011). Specifically, when people feel severely down, the symptom can be called depression.…”

“…Laughter therapy in the media has grown and many researchers have conducted a variety of studies on laughter (Cho and Oh 2011). Moreover, as laughter therapy does not require specialized preparations such as suitable facilities and equipment, is not prohibited by cost, does not depend on when or where it happens, and is easily accessible and acceptable, the medical world has also introduced it into treatment programs (Mora-Ripoll 2010; Ko and Youn 2011).…”

The Effects of Integrated Intervention Program for Community Dwelling Cancer Patients' Quality of Life, Depression and Self Care Agency

“…연구 방법 (Cho & Oh, 2011;Choi, 2008;Oh, Gang, & Jung, 2012). 운동프 로그램은 국선도를 중심으로 구성하였는데, 국선도는 면역기능향상 및 삶의 질 향상에도 효과가 있는 것으 로 연구되었으며 (Choi, 2007;Park, 2013) …”

Effect and Path Analysis of Laughter Therapy on Serotonin, Depression and Quality of Life in Middle-aged Women

“…운동이 나 요가는 심장의 맥박과 폐활량을 증가하고 웃음치료도 같은 긍 정적인 운동 에너지가 활성화된다 [8]. 둘째, 웃음치료는 긍정적인 감 정이 증가하며 삶의 질을 높이고 살아가는 의미에 대한 애착을 증 가하고 우울이 감소된다 [12,13]. 삶의 질은 다양한 요인에 의해 빠르 게 변화는 개념은 아니나 규칙적인 운동을 하거나 자발적인 몰입 활동은 삶의 질을 상승하게 한다 [14].…”