The effect of laughter yoga and music intervention on depression, anxiety, and stress in the Rafsanjan-Iran aged: a randomized clinical trial study

• Published in: Aging & mental health pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Tabei, Milad, Ravari, Ali, Kataria, Madan, Mirzaei, Tayebeh, Kamiab, Zahra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 06.08.2024
• Subjects: Psychosocial intervention; aging; music intervention; mental health; laughter yoga
• ISSN: 1360-7863; 1364-6915; 1364-6915
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2024.2385454

This study aimed to compare the effects of laughter yoga and music intervention on depression, anxiety, and stress in aged individuals referred to Rafsanjan health centers. In this 3-arm randomized clinical trial, 91 depressed aged participants aged 60-75 years, referred to Rafsanjan health centers, were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The study followed a parallel group design with an allocation ratio of 1:1. The laughter yoga intervention was conducted twice a week for eight weeks, and music intervention consisted of 30-min sessions twice a week for eight weeks. The control group received no intervention ('No treatment' concurrent control). Assessments for depressive symptoms (primary outcome), anxiety, and stress were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and one month after the intervention. A total of 84 patients were analyzed in three groups included the laughter yoga intervention (  = 31), music intervention (  = 25), or control group (  = 28). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant decrease in depressive and anxiety symptoms (  < 0.001) from pre-test to post-test and one-month follow-ups. The greatest impact of the intervention programs on stress was observed immediately after the intervention, but stress increased one month after the intervention programs (  = 0.125). Both laughter yoga and music interventions proved effective in improving depression, anxiety, and stress in aged individuals. However, laughter yoga intervention demonstrated a superior effect and better acceptance among elders.