J Korean Acad Nurs.  2011 Jun;41(3):285-293. 10.4040/jkan.2011.41.3.285.

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

• Cho EA
• Oh HE

• KMID: 1015478
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.3.285

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 me-asure 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.

Keyword

Laughter; Depression; Quality of life; Resilience; Immunity; Breast cancer

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
B-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism
Breast Neoplasms/immunology/*therapy
*Depression
Female
Humans
*Laughter Therapy
Middle Aged
*Quality of Life
Questionnaires
*Resilience, Psychological
T-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism