Effects of Laughter Therapy on Respiratory Functions and Geriatric Pain in Elderly Individuals

Structural and functional changes occur with aging and are seen as a decrease in body functions. One of the body systems of aging is the respiratory system capacity. Aging causes the lung tissue to lose elasticity, the respiratory muscles to weaken, and the gas exchange to not be carried out effectively, causing a decrease in respiratory capacity. Therefore, it causes shortness of breath in individuals, an increase in the risk of climate change, and a decrease in the quality of life. Changes in body systems also cause chronic pain in the elderly. Pain-related loss of strength, functional losses, and multiple drug use are observed. Complementary treatment methods can be used against these changes caused by aging, to reduce the problems of old age and for healthy aging. The aim of these therapies is to increase the respiratory capacity of the elderly and the intensity of geriatric pain.

The universe of the study consists of individuals who are members of a Retirement Club affiliated to Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and who do not have any visual, auditory, mental or orthopedic disabilities, aged 60 and over and who agreed to participate in the study. 64 individuals who meet the inclusion criteria constitute the sample of this study. The sample will be randomly selected from the true random number selector (https://www.random.org/) website. Random selections will be planned as a sequential intervention and a control group, respectively. Selection will continue until the sample size is completed. As part of the pre-test, an introductory information form, Respiratory Function Test, oxygen saturation measurement with pulse oximeter, respiration count and Geriatric Pain Scale will be applied to the individuals in the intervention and control groups. The intervention group will receive 8 sessions of laughter therapy twice a week for 4 weeks. No intervention will be applied to the control group. As part of the post-test, the intervention and control groups will be applied; Respiratory Function Test, oxygen saturation measurement with pulse oximetry, respiratory count and Geriatric Pain Scale will be applied. Research data will be analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 25.0 program.

Laughter therapy is a complementary medicine technique that combines laughter for no reason and breathing exercises. Laughter therapy is a free, accessible, effective and enjoyable intervention for individuals. Laughter therapy has been accepted as a nursing intervention in the Nursing Intervention Classification at the international level. Laughter therapy increases lung capacity and ensures effective gas exchange thanks to the breathing exercises it contains. It is thought that laughter therapy, which includes breathing exercises, can also provide positive developments in respiratory parameters. Laughter therapy is thought to be an effective intervention in improving respiratory functions and reducing pain.