Laughter Therapy Effects on Mood, Stress and Self-efficacy in People With Neurological Diseases.

NCT ID: NCT02750982

Last Updated: 2018-09-26

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 24 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2016-07-31
• Study Completion Date: 2018-08-31

Brief Summary

This is a prospective investigation of the effects of Laughter therapy (LT) on perceived stress, self-efficacy, mood and other wellness measures in people with the following neurological conditions: Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, brain injury, Huntington's Disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, post-stroke, spinal cord injury.

Detailed Description

Laughter therapy (LT) has potential benefits in treating illness. It combines laughter with breathing and body exercises to stimulate laughter, both real and artificial, in a group setting. Laughter therapy may help treating illness by strengthening breathing muscles, improving mood, and providing pain and stress relief. EvergreenHealth has presented laughter therapy classes to patients with Parkinson's disease and Multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. The therapy will be led by a certified laughter therapist and mental health professional.

Conditions

Alzheimer's Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Brain Injury; Huntington's Disease; Multiple Sclerosis; Parkinson's Disease; Stroke; Spinal Cord Injury

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Laughter therapy

effects of Laughter therapy (LT) on mood, self-efficacy and other wellness measures in people with neurological conditions.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Laughter Therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

Laughter Therapy (LT) involves simple exercises using playfulness, eye contact and chanting in forms of laughter. LT will be taught by a certified LT instructor in a group session. There will be 8 sessions per group with each session attended by 8-12 participants and lasting 60 minutes

Interventions

Laughter Therapy

Laughter Therapy (LT) involves simple exercises using playfulness, eye contact and chanting in forms of laughter. LT will be taught by a certified LT instructor in a group session. There will be 8 sessions per group with each session attended by 8-12 participants and lasting 60 minutes

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis based on medical record review of one of the following neurological diseases: Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, brain injury, Huntington's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Post-Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury.
• Medically stable for at least 2 months.
• Not participating in Laughter therapy for 30 days prior to screening.

Exclusion Criteria

• Females who are pregnant
• Any unstable medical condition
• Severe cognitive deficits that would interfere with participation (e.g. unable to follow commands).
• Severe abdominal pain, chest pain or back pain.
• Abdominal, chest or back surgery within 90 days.
• Psychosis or severe mental illness.
• Untreated hernia.
• Persistent cough.
• Advanced hemorrhoids.
• Epilepsy.
• Uncontrolled Hypertension - SBP >170 or DBP >105.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Brown, Theodore R., M.D., MPH

INDIV

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Theodore R Brown

M.D., MPH

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Theodore R Brown, MD, MPH

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Evergreen Healthcare

Locations

Evergreen Healthcare

Kirkland, Washington, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

TRBROWN201601

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id