Laughter yoga activities for older people living in residential aged care homes: A feasibility study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a laughter yoga activities (LY) program for older people living in residential aged care homes (RACHs). Methods: A 6-week LY program was implemented at three RACHs with twenty-eight residents. A pre–post design was used to measure positive and negative affect, happiness, blood pressure and pulse. Results: Post-session mean scores for positive mood, and happiness were significantly higher than pre-session scores in weeks 1, 3 and 6, and the post-session mean negative mood scores were significantly lower than pre-session scores in weeks 3 and 6. Post-session readings for mean systolic blood pressure were significantly lower than pre-session readings in weeks 1 and 6. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential for using LY to improve mood and lower blood pressure of older people living in RACHs.