title: The effects of a simulated laughter programme on mood, cortisol levels, and health-related quality of life among haemodialysis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a simulated laughter programme on mood, cortisol levels, and health-related quality of life among haemodialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty participants were randomly assigned to a laughter group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). Eleven participants completed the laughter programme after haemodialysis sessions and 18 control participants remained. The 4-week simulated laughter programme included weekly 60 min group sessions of simulated laughter, breathing, stretching exercises, and meditation, as well as daily 15 s individual laughter sessions administered via telephone. Mood, cortisol levels, and health-related quality of life were analysed using the rank analysis of covariance, and Wilcoxon's signed rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The laughter group exhibited improvements in mood, symptoms, social interaction quality, and role limitations due to physical health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The simulated laughter programme may help improve mood and health-related quality of life among haemodialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Dialysis Center, Bundang CHA General Hospital, South Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Hwa
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.affiliation: Graduate School, Dankook University, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sehyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, CHA University, South Korea. Electronic address: clara@cha.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hye-Ja
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, CHA University, South Korea.
authors.forename: Suk Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D027641:Laughter Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Haemodialysis; Health-related quality of life; Laughter; Mood