The Effect of Laughter Therapy on Life Satisfaction and Loneliness

A single‐blinded, parallel group randomized controlled trial was used to evaluate the impact of laughter therapy on life satisfaction and loneliness in older adults living in a nursing home. The study was conducted in the only nursing home in Hatay province of Turkey. The study participants were older adults living in a nursing home. A total of 62 older adults formed the experimental group (n = 31) and the control group (n = 31). In order to ensure randomization and equal gender distribution, first, two groups (men and women) were formed. After the stratification process, five blocks consisting of six people and one group consisting of four people were formed using the permuted blocked randomization method. After the formation of the blocks, the elderly were randomly assigned to the experimental and the control group using a random number table. The experimental group received laughter therapy twice a week for 6 weeks and the usual care. The control group received only the usual care. To collect data, a personal information form, the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) and the Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS) were used.