Effect of Laughter Therapy on Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study
Effect of Laughter Therapy on Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study
Internet-based behavioral therapy applications made during the quarantine and isolation period during the pandemic process, and the application of laughter therapy, which is a group-oriented technique that increases the feeling of togetherness and happiness, can be used as an online method to reach large masses. However, since there are a limited number of studies in the literature on online laughter therapy in patients and not all sessions are online in the study, it was thought that more and methodological studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of the therapy on the applicability of the online platform. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the blood cortisol levels, depression, anxiety, stress levels and quality of life of laughter therapy in hemodialysis patients.
In this research, laughter therapy applied to hemodialysis patients; This is an experimental design with pretest and posttest control groups in order to examine the effects on serum cortisol levels, depression, anxiety, stress levels and quality of life. The study will be conducted between April 2021 and September 2022 on 80 patients who are receiving hemodialysis treatment in two Dialysis Centers in Zonguldak city center and meet the inclusion criteria. Introductory information form, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, Kidney Disease Quality of Life Form will be used in the study and blood samples will be taken from the patients for cortisol. Laughter therapy will be applied three days a week, for a total of 12 sessions for 4 weeks.
The inclusion criteria for the study were as follows: (1) being 18 years of age or older, (2) having received hemodialysis treatment twice a week for at least one month, (3) having a Standard Mini Mental Test score of 24 or higher, indicating adequate cognitive function, (4) having no prior experience with laughter therapy, (5) being able to use a smartphone, computer, or tablet independently or with the support of family members, and (6) voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study.
The exclusion criteria for the study are: (1) the presence of severe psychiatric disorders, (2) use of medications that may affect serum cortisol levels, (3) recent abdominal surgery, (4) uncontrolled hypertension, (5) the presence of epilepsy, (6) the presence of other acute health issues that could pose a risk during laughter therapy, (7) participation in another complementary therapy program.