Effect of the Laughter Therapy Combined with Cognitive Reinforcement Program for the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Eunjoo Ji; Oksoo Kim

doi:10.7475/kjan.2014.26.1.34

Journal List > Korean J Adult Nurs > v.26(1) > 1094528

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Ji and Kim: Effect of the Laughter Therapy Combined with Cognitive Reinforcement Program for the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Original Article

Korean Journal of Adult Nursing 2014; 26(1): 34-45.

Published online: 28 February 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2014.26.1.34

Effect of the Laughter Therapy Combined with Cognitive Reinforcement Program for the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Eunjoo Ji¹, Oksoo Kim²

¹Department of Nursing, Dongyang University, Yeongju, Korea.

²Division of Nursing Science, College of Health Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.

Corresponding author: Ji, EunJoo. Department of Nursing, Dongyang University, 145 Dongyangdae-ro, Punggi-eup, Yeongju 750-711, Korea. Tel: +82-54-630-1279, Fax: +82-54-630-1371, 93eunjoo@hanmail.net

Received 12 July 2013 Revised 9 January 2014 Accepted 18 February 2014

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of laughter therapy and cognitive reinforcement program on self-efficacy, depression and cognitive functions of the elderly with mild cognitive impairments (MCI).

Methods

The study design was a non-equivalent control group pre and posttest design. Thirty-six subjects over the age of 65 with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment were assigned either to a treatment or a comparison group. Data were collected from February 7 to March 27, 2012 in the dementia supporting center. An eight week treatment program that included laughter therapy coupled with a cognitive reinforcing program including hand exercise, laughter dance routine, laughter technic and cognitive training for attention, memory, orientation and execution skill.

Results

MoCA-K (t=-6.86, p<.001) and Stroop test CW correct (t=-2.54, p=.008), self-efficacy (t=-3.62, p=.001) in the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the comparison group. Reported depression (t=2.29, p=.014), Stroop test CW error (U=53.50, p<.001) in the treatment group was significantly less than the comparison group.

Conclusion

In this study, the treatment was effective in improving self-efficacy, cognitive function and reducing depression in the elderly with MCI.

Keywords: Mild cognitive impairment, Laughter therapy, Executive function, Depression, Self-efficacy

Figures and Tables

Table 1

The Laughter Therapy Combined with Cognitive Reinforcement Program

Rest for 10 min after laughter therapy, every weeks.

Table 2

Homogeneity Test of General Characteristics (N=36)

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

Table 3

Homogeneity Test of Dependent Variables at the Baseline. (N=36)

Exp.=experimental group, Cont.=control group; MoCA-K=The Korean version of montreal cognitive assessment.

^†t-test; ^‡Mann-Whitney U test.

Table 4

Effect of the Laughter Therapy Combined with Cognitive Reinforcement Program on Dependent Variables in Experimental Group and Control Group (N=36)

Exp.=experimental group, Cont.=control group; MoCA-K=The Korean version of montreal cognitive assessment.

^†t-test; ^‡Mann-Whitney U test; ^§Mann-Whitney U test.

Notes

This manuscript is based on a part of the first author's doctoral dissertation from Ewha Womans University.

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