Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Anxiety Among Older Adults Residing in Old Age Homes, West Bengal

Objectives Ageing is a natural life process associated with various physiological, psychological, and social changes that may increase the risk of mental health problems among older adults. Anxiety is commonly observed among elderly individuals, particularly those residing in institutional settings such as old age homes, where social isolation and emotional distress may be prevalent. Laughter therapy has emerged as a simple, non-pharmacological intervention that may help reduce stress and improve psychological well-being among older adults. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of laughter therapy in reducing anxiety among older adults residing in selected old age homes in West Bengal. Material and Methods A non-blinded randomised controlled trial with a pre-test and post-test design was conducted among 64 older adults aged ≥50 years residing in selected old age homes. Participants with anxiety scores ≥17 on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) were randomly allocated into an experimental group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 32). Baseline data were collected using a demographic proforma, health and institutional characteristics checklist, and the HAM-A scale. The experimental group received laughter therapy sessions for 25–30 min daily for 7 days, whereas the control group continued their routine activities. Post-test assessment was conducted on the ninth day. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21 with descriptive and inferential statistics. Results At baseline, most participants in both groups had mild to moderate anxiety (experimental: 78.1%; control: 84.4%). After the intervention, anxiety levels significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group. The mean post-test anxiety score in the experimental group (16.59 ± 2.24) was significantly lower than that of the control group (20.50 ± 2.72) ( p <0.001). A significant association was observed between pre-test anxiety levels and marital status in the experimental group ( p <0.05). Conclusion The findings indicate that laughter therapy is an effective, safe, and inexpensive intervention for reducing anxiety among older adults residing in old age homes. Incorporating laughter therapy into routine care practices may help improve the psychological well-being of institutionalised elderly populations.