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Cho and Oh: Effects of Laughter Therapy on Depression, Quality of Life, Resilience and Immune Responses in Breast Cancer Survivors
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2011; 41(3): 285-293.

Published online: 13 June 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.3.285

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

Eun A Cho1, Hyun Ei Oh2

1Full-time Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Honam University, Gwangju, Korea.

2Professor, Department of Nursing, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Oh, Hyun Ei. Department of Nursing, Chosun University, 375 Seoseok-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-759, Korea. Tel: +82-10-3612-3683, Fax: +82-62-230-6322, hyoh@chosun.ac.kr

Received 22 July 2010       Accepted 7 June 2011

© 2011 Korean Society of Nursing Science

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.

Keywords: Laughter, Depression, Quality of life, Resilience, Immunity, Breast cancer

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Laughter Therapy Program Contents
jkan-41-285-i001
Table 2
Homogeneity Test of General Characteristics (N=37)
jkan-41-285-i002

*Fisher's exact probability test; Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Table 3
Homogeneity Test of Dependent Variables at Pre-test (N=37)
jkan-41-285-i003

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Table 4
The Effects of Laughter Therapy on Depression, Quality of Life, Resilience (N=37)
jkan-41-285-i004

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Table 5
The Effects of Laughter Therapy on Immune Responses (N=37)
jkan-41-285-i005

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Notes

This article is based on part of the first author's doctoral thesis from Chosun University.

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