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Shin, Ryu, and Song: Effects of Laughter Therapy on Postpartum Fatigue and Stress Responses of Postpartum Women
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2011; 41(3): 294-301.

Published online: 13 June 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.3.294

Effects of Laughter Therapy on Postpartum Fatigue and Stress Responses of Postpartum Women

Hye Sook Shin, 1, Kyung Hee Ryu2, Young A Song3

1Professor, College of Nursing Scienc, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.

2Full-time Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Seojeong College, Yangju, Korea.

3Full-time Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Ansan College, Ansan, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Shin, Hye Sook. College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University, 1 Heogi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea. Tel: +82-2-961-9143, Fax: +82-2-961-9398, suksh@khu.ac.kr

Received 19 October 2010       Accepted 7 June 2011

© 2011 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of laughter therapy on postpartum fatigue and stress respon-ses of postpartum women.

Methods

The research design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The participants were 67 postpartum women who agreed to participate in this study, selected by convenience sampling: (experiment group-33 and control group-34). The data were collected from August 5 to September 30, 2010. The experimental group received laughter therapy from a laughter therapy expert for 60 min, twice a week for 2 weeks, a total of 4 sessions. To evaluate the effects of laughter therapy, postpartum fatigue by self-report questionnaire and cortisol concentration in breast milk were measured. The data were analyzed using the SPSS WIN 13.0 Program.

Results

The first hypothesis that "the degree of postpartum fatigue in the experimental group participating in laughter therapy would be lower than that of the control group" was accepted. These findings indicate that laughter therapy has a positive effect on decreasing postpartum fatigue.

Conclusion

The finding provides evidence for use of complementary and alternative nursing in Sanhujori facilities and obstetric units to reduce postpartum women's fatigue.

Keywords: Laughter therapy, Fatigue, Cortisol, Postpartum women

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Change of postpartum fatigue by time.
Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.
jkan-41-294-g001
Figure 2
Change of cortisol concentration in breast milk by time.
Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.
jkan-41-294-g002
Table 1
Homogeneity Test for General Characteristics (N=67)
jkan-41-294-i001

*Fisher's exact test.

Table 2
Homogeneity Test for Dependent Variables between Groups (N=67)
jkan-41-294-i002
Table 3
Postpartum Fatigue and Stress Response for Experimental Group and Control Group
jkan-41-294-i003

Notes

This work was supported by the Kyung Hee University on a Sabbatical Year in 2010.

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