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

Abstract

Objectives

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.

Method

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.

Results

A total of 84 patients were analyzed in three groups included the laughter yoga intervention (n = 31), music intervention (n = 25), or control group (n = 28). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant decrease in depressive and anxiety symptoms (p < 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 (p = 0.125).

Conclusion

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.

Keywords:

• Psychosocial intervention
• mental health
• laughter yoga
• music intervention
• aging

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the responsible authorities of the Geriatric Care Research Center and the Vice Chancellery for Research and Technology of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran, which funded this study. The participation and collaboration of the study participants are acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics approval

This study has been registered in the clinical trial system with the code IRTC20150519022320N25 and accepted by the university ethics committee with the code IR.RUMS.REC.1400.235. An informed consent form has been completed for the participants.

Data availability statement

The data supporting this study’s findings are available from the author ([email protected]) upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (code: 400307).