EFFECTIVENESS OF LAUGHTER THERAPY ON THE LEVELS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG INMATES RESIDING AT AN OLD AGE INSTITUTION: AN INTERVENTIONAL RESEARCH.

Muntazir Ali Sayed; Dr. Sudesh Vijay Gandham

Volume : VII, Issue : I, January - 2018

EFFECTIVENESS OF LAUGHTER THERAPY ON THE LEVELS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG INMATES RESIDING AT AN OLD AGE INSTITUTION: AN INTERVENTIONAL RESEARCH.

Muntazir Ali Sayed, Dr. Sudesh Vijay Gandham

Abstract :

Background: Inmates of old age institutions suffer from anxiety and depression along with other morbid conditions. We aimed to find if conventional modality like laughter therapy can help in alleviating such stress.

Methods: 76 inmates of an old age institution were randomly assigned into two groups, an experimental group of 37 inmates and control group of 39 inmates. All participants remained on their prescribed medication regimen for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Only the test group was given access to laughter therapy for 35 minutes a day for 101 days.

Findings: The laughter therapy given to the elderly residing in the old age home has significantly reduced their levels of anxiety and depression (P<0.001).

Interpretation: Laughter therapy can lead to reduction in the levels of anxiety and depression. It can serve as an adjunct and an add–on cost–effective and patient complaint therapy in rapidly alleviating anxiety and depression.

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