Laughter Therapy Decreases Depression Among in Senior Citizens Residing in Old Age Homes
Journal Title: Interventions in Gynaecology and Women’s Healthcare - Year 2018, Vol 2, Issue 4
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable process and many factors like genes, lifestyles, diet and environment determine longevity. As humans go older, physical conditions decline which leads to many illnesses. Depression constitutes the most common emotional disorder found in older people. Estimates of the prevalence of major depressive disorder of the elderly range from 2% - 10% of those 65 and older [1]. Depression can be treated by administrating antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy, Transcranial magnetic stimulations, cognitive behavioral and interpersonal therapies, lifestyle modifications and alternative therapies [2,3]. The alternative therapies encompass a variety of approaches which includes acupuncture, aroma therapy, laughter therapy, biofeedback, chiropractic treatments, guided imagery, dietary supplements, hypnosis, massage therapy, meditation, relaxation and yoga [4]. There is growing empirical literature on the effectiveness of laughter therapy on depression on elderly [5]. The objectives of the study were to compare the mean pre-test depression score of senior citizens between the experimental and control group. We also intended to compare the mean pre-test depression score of senior citizens in the experimental group. The mean pre-test depression score of senior citizens in the control group was compared. The mean post-test depression score of senior citizens between the experimental and control group was compared and evaluated. We also aimed to find out the association between level of depression and selected socio demographic variables of senior citizens in the experimental and control group. Research approach was quantitative, and the design used was pre-test/post-test experimental design. The study was conducted in two old age homes and they were allocated to experimental and control setting by simple random (lottery) method. Yesavage Geriatric Depression scale with minor modification was administrated to the inmates of both the setting to identify the client with depression and separate sampling frames were made [6]. Using systematic randomization method, 30 subjects were selected from the experimental setting and 30 from control setting. Laughter therapy was administrated to the experimental group for 30-45 minutes daily for 10 consecutive days. Post-test was conducted using Yesavage Geriatric Depression scale on the 15th day of the therapy.
Authors and Affiliations
Akhil Kumar, Satyajit Patra
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP574547
- DOI 10.32474/IGWHC.2018.02.000143
- Views 57
- Downloads 0
Changes in Skeletal System during Pregnancy
Pain localized at the pelvic girdle during and after pregnancy has been keyed out and registered as an entity since the 4th century BC by Hippocrates. Contemporary medical research since the early 20th century has attemp...
Intrapartum Analysis of Lower Segment Cesarean Section Undertaken for Clinically Diagnosed Foetal Distress
Abstract: Clinically diagnosed foetal distress (non reassuring foetal heart rate, meconium stained liquor, altered foetal movement) is one of the leading cause of cesarean section. This study was done for evaluation and...
Endometrial Myomectomy: A New Soul in Caesarean Myomectomy
Study objective: To introduce a new surgical technique to the clinical practice by comparing the perop and early postop outcomes of endometrial myomectomy is to serosal myomectomy during caesarean section. 22 cases which...
New Insight into Pregnant Women Oral Health Cares
The human body is comprised of complex systems, which are interconnected with each other. Because of the way, the human body is made; one organ of the body can have an impact on other organs of it. Oral health affects pe...
Sedation or Anesthesia Before Cervical Cancer Brachytherapy
Cervical cancer (CC) is a neoplasm with great potential for prevention, but it is still a public health problem in most developing countries. There are no significant differences between the use of high dose rate (HDR-BT...