title: The effects of laughter therapy on general health of elderly people referring to jahandidegan community center in shiraz, iran, 2014: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aging and its social-biological process naturally impair the functions of different body organs and cause progressive disabilities in managing personal affairs and performing social roles. Laughter therapy is an important strategy which has been recommended by experts for increasing health promotion in older adults. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of laughter therapy program on public health of senior citizens.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 72 senior citizens aged 60 and over referring to Jahandidegan (Khold-e-Barin) retirement community center in Shiraz, southwest Iran during January to February 2014. The participants were assigned into experimental (N=36) and control (N=36) groups. Data were collected using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and demographic questionnaire. The participants of experimental group attended a laughter therapy program consisting of two 90-minute sessions per week lasting for 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a statistically significant correlation between laughter therapy program and factors such as general health (P=0.001), somatic symptoms (P=0.001), insomnia and anxiety (P=0.001). However, there was no statistically significant correlation among laughter therapy, social dysfunction (P=0.28) and depression (P=0.069).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that laughter therapy can improve general health and its subscales in elderly people.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  IRCT2014061111691N4.
authors.affiliation: Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghodsbin
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sharif Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: Shiraz Geriatric Research Center, Department of Community Health Nursing, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors.forename: Iran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jahanbin
authors.affiliation: Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Department of psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Farkhondeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sharif
keywords: Elderly; General health; Laughter therapy