Ensayo no aleatorizado de una intervención con terapia de la risa y su efecto en la calidad de vida de personas mayores residentes en centros gerontológicos.
Non-randomized trial of an intervention using laughter therapy and its effect on the quality of life of older people residing in gerontological centers.
Keywords:
Aged, Complementary Therapies, Homes for the Aged, Mental Health, Controlled Before-After Studies
Abstract
The rise in older adults experiencing deterioration in quality of life and mental health underscores the need to deepen our understanding of the effects of complementary therapies on this population. Therefore, this study aimed to describe changes in quality-of-life scores following laughter therapy among adults residing in gerontological centers. An exploratory quasi-experimental study was conducted with 25 volunteers aged 60 and older. The SF-12 survey, which assesses physical and mental health dimensions, was administered before and after eight laughter therapy sessions. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the total quality-of-life score after completing the therapy sessions (p = 0.001), particularly in the mental health dimension (p = 0.001), whereas changes in the physical health dimension were not significant (p = 0.281). By sociodemographic variables, those who benefited most were women, those over 80 years of age, single individuals, and those with a monetary income. Regarding education and the type of institution (private or public), all groups improved their quality-of-life scores. In conclusion, laughter therapy applied to older adult residents in nursing homes significantly increases quality-of-life scores in the mental health dimension and on the total scale.
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References
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Demir Doğan M. The Effect of Laughter Therapy on Anxiety. Holist Nurs Pract. 2020; 34(1):35-39. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000363.
Kafle E, Papastavrou G, Chawner D, Foye U, Declercq D, Brooks H. Beyond laughter: a systematic review to understand how interventions utilise comedy for individuals experiencing mental health problems. Front Psychol. 2023; 14:1161703. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1161703
Quintero Á, Henao M, Villamil M, Cardona J. Cambios en la depresión y el sentimiento de soledad después de la terapia de la risa en adultos mayores internados. Biomédica 2015; 35(1):90-100, http://dx.doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.3511.2316
Hayashi K, Kawachi I, Ohira T, Kondo K, Shirai K, Kondo N. Laughter is the Best Medicine? A Cross-Sectional Study of Cardiovascular Disease Among Older Japanese Adults. J Epidemiol. 2016; 26(10): 546-552. https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20150196
Ikeda S, Ikeda A, Yamagishi, Hori M, Kubo S, Sata M, et al. Longitudinal trends in blood pressure associated with the frequency of laughter: the circulatory risk in communities' study (cires), a longitudinal study of the Japanese general population. J Epidemiol. 2021; 31(2): 125-131. https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20190140
Sakurada K, Konta T, Watanabe M, Ishizawa K, Ueno Y, Yamashita H, et al. Associations of frequency of laughter with risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence in a general population: findings from the Yamagata study. J Epidemiol. 2020; 30(4): 188-193. https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20180249
Morishima T, Miyashiro I, Inoue N, Kitasaka M, Akazawa T, Higeno A, et al. Effects of laughter therapy on quality of life in patients with cancer: An open-label, randomized controlled trial. PLoS ONE. 2019; 14(6): e0219065. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219065
Tamada Y, Takeuchi K, Yamaguchi C, Saito M, Ohira T, Shirai K, et al. Does Laughter Predict Onset of Functional Disability and Mortality Among Older Japanese Adults? The JAGES Prospective Cohort Study. J Epidemiol. 2021; 31(5): 301-307. https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20200051
Cardona J, Villamil M, Quintero A, Henao E. Terapia de la risa en un grupo de mujeres adultas. Rev Fac Nac Salud Pública. 2013; 31(2): 202-208. https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=12028113005
Van Der Wal N, Kok R. Laughter-inducing therapies: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2019; 232: 473-488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.02.018.
Yoshikawa Y, Ohmaki E, Kawahata H, Maekawa Y, Ogihara T, Morishita R, et al. Beneficial effect of laughter therapy on physiological and psychological function in elders. Nurs Open. 2018; 6(1): 93-99. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.190.
Rezaei S, Mahfeli M, Mousavi S, Hosseini S. The Effect of Laughter Yoga on the Quality of Life of Elderly Nursing Home Residents. Caspian J Neurol Sci. 2019; 5(1):7-15. https://doi.org/10.32598/CJNS.5.16.7
Villareal G, Pérez C, Usta A. Salud y calidad de vida percibida de los adultos mayores en un municipio del caribe colombiano. SUN. 2022; 38(1):35-50. https://dx.doi.org/10.14482/sun.38.1.613.042
Varela L. Salud y calidad de vida en el adulto mayor. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2016; 33(2):199-201. https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2016.332.2196
Organización Mundial de la Salud. Informe mundial sobre el envejecimiento y la salud. E.E.U.U: OMS 2015; [citado, 2022 marzo 10] Disponible en: https://www.who.int/es/publications/i/item/9789241565042
Gálvez M, Aravena C, Aranda H, Ávalos C, López-Alegría F. Salud mental y calidad de vida en adultos mayores: revisión sistemática. Rev Chil Neuropsiquiatr. 2020; 58(4): 384-399. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92272020000400384
Cardona J, Henao M, Quintero A, Villamil M, Higuita E, Ramirez L, et al. La importancia de la RISA en la salud de los adultos mayores institucionalizados. Medellín: Corporación Universitaria Remington; 2020. https://doi.org/10.22209/9789585321809
Rosselli D, Ardila A, Pradilla-Ardila G, Morillo L, Bautista L, Rey O, GENECO. El examen mental abreviado (Mini-Mental State Examination) como prueba de tamizaje para el diagnóstico de demencia: estudio poblacional colombiano. Rev Neurol. 2000; 30 (5): 428-432. https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.3005.99125
Ramírez-Vélez R, Agredo-Zuñiga R, Jerez-Valderrama A. Confiabilidad y valores normativos preliminares del cuestionario de salud SF-12 (Short Form 12 Health Survey) en adultos colombianos. Rev Salud Pública. 2010; 12(5): 807-819. https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/revsaludpublica/article/view/33328
Vera-Villarroel P, Silva J, Celis-Atenas K, Pavez P. Evaluación del cuestionario SF-12: verificación de la utilidad de la escala salud mental. Rev Med Chile. 2014; 142(10):1275-1283. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872014001000007
Asociación Médica Mundial. Declaración de Helsinki de la AMM Principios éticos para las investigaciones médicas en seres humanos. Helsinki, Finlandia: 75ª Asamblea General; 2024. Disponible en: https://www.wma.net/es/que-hacemos/etica-medica/declaracion-de-helsinki/.
Des Jarlais DC, Lyles C, Crepaz N; TREND Group. Improving the reporting quality of nonrandomized evaluations of behavioral and public health interventions: the TREND statement. Am J Public Health. 2004;94(3):361-366. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.94.3.361
Nagai M, Ohira T, Shirai K, Kondo K. Does variety of social interactions associate with frequency of laughter among older people? The JAGES cross-sectional study. BMJ open. 2021; 11(1): e039363 https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039363.
Díaz de Villegas V, Medina S, Iglesias J. Payaso terapéutico, alternativa en la Sala de Geriatría. Acta Med Cent. 2019; (13): 428-434. https://www.medigraphic.com/pdfs/medicadelcentro/mec-2019/mec1930.pdf
Hwang SH, Jeong HC, Hwang JW. Effect of laughter therapy on healthy life: a meta-analysis. J Korea Converg Soc. 2019; 10(9): 291-299.https://doi.org/10.15207/JKCS.2019.10.9.291
Kayserilioğlu G, Koçaşlı S. The Effect of Laughter Therapy Applied to Adult Patients on Anxiety, Stress, Sleep and Quality of Life: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acta Med Eur. 2024; 6(3):79-91. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11543205
Zhou Z, Jia Y, Yan H, Wen J, Xu J, Wang S. Effects of humor therapy on negative emotions, quality of life and cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Geriatr Nurs. 2025; 61:20-26. 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.10.054
Üner E, Sezer Balcı A, Kadıoğlu, H. The Effect of Laughter Therapy on Physical and Mental Health: Systematic Review. Halk Sağlığı Hemşireliği Dergisi (J Public Health Nurs). 2022; 4(3): 251-269. https://doi.org/10.54061/jphn.1102843
Cardona J, Villamil M, Henao E, Quintero Á, Gaviria O, Ortiz J, et al. Cambios en el nivel de cortisol después de la aplicación de terapia de la risa, en adultos hospitalizados con diagnóstico de enfermedad cerebrovascular. Invest Clín. 2020; 60(3):233-242. https://doi.org/10.22209/IC.v60n3a05
Bennett P, Hussein W, Reiterman M, Yu J, Schiller B. The effects of laughter therapy on depression symptoms in patients undergoing center hemodialysis: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Hemodial Int. 2023; 24 (4): 541-549. https://doi.org/10.1111/hdi.12870
Mora-Ripolla R, Ubal-López R. La risa: diferencias según el género. Rev Clin Esp. 2011; 211(7):360-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rce.2010.10.013
López-García E, Banegas JR, Pérez-Regadera AG, Gutiérrez-Fisac JL, Alonso J, Rodríguez-Artalejo F. Valores de referencia de la versión española del Cuestionario de Salud SF-36 en población adulta de más de 60 años. Med Clin. 2003; 120(15):568-573. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-7753(03)73775-0.
Cortese RH, Fernández Canales MM. Estudio comparativo del bienestar y el acceso al bienestar en la vejez. Psicología del desarrollo [Internet]. 2021;(2):1-15. https://doi.org/10.59471/psicologia20215
Henao M, Cardona J, Villamil M, Quintero Á. Efectos de la terapia de la risa y teatro sobre la salud de los adultos mayores residentes en un hogar gerontológico de Medellín, 2016. En: La importancia de la RISA en la salud de los adultos mayores institucionalizados. Eds. Fondo Editorial Corporación Universitaria Remington, Medellín; 2020. p 16-32. Disponible en: https://www.uniremington.edu.co/fondo-editorial/libros-de-investigacion/la-importancia-de-la-risa-en-la-salud-de-los-adultos-mayores/
Theeke L. Predictors of loneliness in U.S. Adults over age sixty-five. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2009; 23(5):387-396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2008.11.002
Demakakos P, Nunn S, Nazroo J. Loneliness, relative deprivation and life satisfaction. En: Retirement, health and relationships of the older population in England: the 2004 English longitudinal study of ageing. Chapter 10. London: Institute for Fiscal Studies. Banks J, Breeze E, Lessoff C, Nazroo J, editors. 2006. p 297-337. Disponible en: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284664030_Loneliness_relative_deprivation_and_life_satisfaction
Sarabia CM. Envejecimiento exitoso y calidad de vida. Su papel en las teorías del envejecimiento. Gerokomos 2009; 20(4): 172-174. Disponible en: https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=s1134-928X2009000400005
Demir Doğan M. The Effect of Laughter Therapy on Anxiety. Holist Nurs Pract. 2020; 34(1):35-39. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000363.
Kafle E, Papastavrou G, Chawner D, Foye U, Declercq D, Brooks H. Beyond laughter: a systematic review to understand how interventions utilise comedy for individuals experiencing mental health problems. Front Psychol. 2023; 14:1161703. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1161703
Quintero Á, Henao M, Villamil M, Cardona J. Cambios en la depresión y el sentimiento de soledad después de la terapia de la risa en adultos mayores internados. Biomédica 2015; 35(1):90-100, http://dx.doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.3511.2316
Hayashi K, Kawachi I, Ohira T, Kondo K, Shirai K, Kondo N. Laughter is the Best Medicine? A Cross-Sectional Study of Cardiovascular Disease Among Older Japanese Adults. J Epidemiol. 2016; 26(10): 546-552. https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20150196
Ikeda S, Ikeda A, Yamagishi, Hori M, Kubo S, Sata M, et al. Longitudinal trends in blood pressure associated with the frequency of laughter: the circulatory risk in communities' study (cires), a longitudinal study of the Japanese general population. J Epidemiol. 2021; 31(2): 125-131. https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20190140
Sakurada K, Konta T, Watanabe M, Ishizawa K, Ueno Y, Yamashita H, et al. Associations of frequency of laughter with risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence in a general population: findings from the Yamagata study. J Epidemiol. 2020; 30(4): 188-193. https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20180249
Morishima T, Miyashiro I, Inoue N, Kitasaka M, Akazawa T, Higeno A, et al. Effects of laughter therapy on quality of life in patients with cancer: An open-label, randomized controlled trial. PLoS ONE. 2019; 14(6): e0219065. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219065
Tamada Y, Takeuchi K, Yamaguchi C, Saito M, Ohira T, Shirai K, et al. Does Laughter Predict Onset of Functional Disability and Mortality Among Older Japanese Adults? The JAGES Prospective Cohort Study. J Epidemiol. 2021; 31(5): 301-307. https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20200051
Cardona J, Villamil M, Quintero A, Henao E. Terapia de la risa en un grupo de mujeres adultas. Rev Fac Nac Salud Pública. 2013; 31(2): 202-208. https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=12028113005
Van Der Wal N, Kok R. Laughter-inducing therapies: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2019; 232: 473-488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.02.018.
Yoshikawa Y, Ohmaki E, Kawahata H, Maekawa Y, Ogihara T, Morishita R, et al. Beneficial effect of laughter therapy on physiological and psychological function in elders. Nurs Open. 2018; 6(1): 93-99. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.190.
Rezaei S, Mahfeli M, Mousavi S, Hosseini S. The Effect of Laughter Yoga on the Quality of Life of Elderly Nursing Home Residents. Caspian J Neurol Sci. 2019; 5(1):7-15. https://doi.org/10.32598/CJNS.5.16.7
Villareal G, Pérez C, Usta A. Salud y calidad de vida percibida de los adultos mayores en un municipio del caribe colombiano. SUN. 2022; 38(1):35-50. https://dx.doi.org/10.14482/sun.38.1.613.042
Varela L. Salud y calidad de vida en el adulto mayor. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2016; 33(2):199-201. https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2016.332.2196
Organización Mundial de la Salud. Informe mundial sobre el envejecimiento y la salud. E.E.U.U: OMS 2015; [citado, 2022 marzo 10] Disponible en: https://www.who.int/es/publications/i/item/9789241565042
Gálvez M, Aravena C, Aranda H, Ávalos C, López-Alegría F. Salud mental y calidad de vida en adultos mayores: revisión sistemática. Rev Chil Neuropsiquiatr. 2020; 58(4): 384-399. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92272020000400384
Cardona J, Henao M, Quintero A, Villamil M, Higuita E, Ramirez L, et al. La importancia de la RISA en la salud de los adultos mayores institucionalizados. Medellín: Corporación Universitaria Remington; 2020. https://doi.org/10.22209/9789585321809
Rosselli D, Ardila A, Pradilla-Ardila G, Morillo L, Bautista L, Rey O, GENECO. El examen mental abreviado (Mini-Mental State Examination) como prueba de tamizaje para el diagnóstico de demencia: estudio poblacional colombiano. Rev Neurol. 2000; 30 (5): 428-432. https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.3005.99125
Ramírez-Vélez R, Agredo-Zuñiga R, Jerez-Valderrama A. Confiabilidad y valores normativos preliminares del cuestionario de salud SF-12 (Short Form 12 Health Survey) en adultos colombianos. Rev Salud Pública. 2010; 12(5): 807-819. https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/revsaludpublica/article/view/33328
Vera-Villarroel P, Silva J, Celis-Atenas K, Pavez P. Evaluación del cuestionario SF-12: verificación de la utilidad de la escala salud mental. Rev Med Chile. 2014; 142(10):1275-1283. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872014001000007
Asociación Médica Mundial. Declaración de Helsinki de la AMM Principios éticos para las investigaciones médicas en seres humanos. Helsinki, Finlandia: 75ª Asamblea General; 2024. Disponible en: https://www.wma.net/es/que-hacemos/etica-medica/declaracion-de-helsinki/.
Des Jarlais DC, Lyles C, Crepaz N; TREND Group. Improving the reporting quality of nonrandomized evaluations of behavioral and public health interventions: the TREND statement. Am J Public Health. 2004;94(3):361-366. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.94.3.361
Nagai M, Ohira T, Shirai K, Kondo K. Does variety of social interactions associate with frequency of laughter among older people? The JAGES cross-sectional study. BMJ open. 2021; 11(1): e039363 https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039363.
Díaz de Villegas V, Medina S, Iglesias J. Payaso terapéutico, alternativa en la Sala de Geriatría. Acta Med Cent. 2019; (13): 428-434. https://www.medigraphic.com/pdfs/medicadelcentro/mec-2019/mec1930.pdf
Hwang SH, Jeong HC, Hwang JW. Effect of laughter therapy on healthy life: a meta-analysis. J Korea Converg Soc. 2019; 10(9): 291-299.https://doi.org/10.15207/JKCS.2019.10.9.291
Kayserilioğlu G, Koçaşlı S. The Effect of Laughter Therapy Applied to Adult Patients on Anxiety, Stress, Sleep and Quality of Life: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acta Med Eur. 2024; 6(3):79-91. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11543205
Zhou Z, Jia Y, Yan H, Wen J, Xu J, Wang S. Effects of humor therapy on negative emotions, quality of life and cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Geriatr Nurs. 2025; 61:20-26. 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.10.054
Üner E, Sezer Balcı A, Kadıoğlu, H. The Effect of Laughter Therapy on Physical and Mental Health: Systematic Review. Halk Sağlığı Hemşireliği Dergisi (J Public Health Nurs). 2022; 4(3): 251-269. https://doi.org/10.54061/jphn.1102843
Cardona J, Villamil M, Henao E, Quintero Á, Gaviria O, Ortiz J, et al. Cambios en el nivel de cortisol después de la aplicación de terapia de la risa, en adultos hospitalizados con diagnóstico de enfermedad cerebrovascular. Invest Clín. 2020; 60(3):233-242. https://doi.org/10.22209/IC.v60n3a05
Bennett P, Hussein W, Reiterman M, Yu J, Schiller B. The effects of laughter therapy on depression symptoms in patients undergoing center hemodialysis: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Hemodial Int. 2023; 24 (4): 541-549. https://doi.org/10.1111/hdi.12870
Mora-Ripolla R, Ubal-López R. La risa: diferencias según el género. Rev Clin Esp. 2011; 211(7):360-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rce.2010.10.013
López-García E, Banegas JR, Pérez-Regadera AG, Gutiérrez-Fisac JL, Alonso J, Rodríguez-Artalejo F. Valores de referencia de la versión española del Cuestionario de Salud SF-36 en población adulta de más de 60 años. Med Clin. 2003; 120(15):568-573. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-7753(03)73775-0.
Cortese RH, Fernández Canales MM. Estudio comparativo del bienestar y el acceso al bienestar en la vejez. Psicología del desarrollo [Internet]. 2021;(2):1-15. https://doi.org/10.59471/psicologia20215
Henao M, Cardona J, Villamil M, Quintero Á. Efectos de la terapia de la risa y teatro sobre la salud de los adultos mayores residentes en un hogar gerontológico de Medellín, 2016. En: La importancia de la RISA en la salud de los adultos mayores institucionalizados. Eds. Fondo Editorial Corporación Universitaria Remington, Medellín; 2020. p 16-32. Disponible en: https://www.uniremington.edu.co/fondo-editorial/libros-de-investigacion/la-importancia-de-la-risa-en-la-salud-de-los-adultos-mayores/
Theeke L. Predictors of loneliness in U.S. Adults over age sixty-five. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2009; 23(5):387-396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2008.11.002
Demakakos P, Nunn S, Nazroo J. Loneliness, relative deprivation and life satisfaction. En: Retirement, health and relationships of the older population in England: the 2004 English longitudinal study of ageing. Chapter 10. London: Institute for Fiscal Studies. Banks J, Breeze E, Lessoff C, Nazroo J, editors. 2006. p 297-337. Disponible en: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284664030_Loneliness_relative_deprivation_and_life_satisfaction
Sarabia CM. Envejecimiento exitoso y calidad de vida. Su papel en las teorías del envejecimiento. Gerokomos 2009; 20(4): 172-174. Disponible en: https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=s1134-928X2009000400005
Published
2026-05-31
How to Cite
Cardona, J. L., Villamil, M. M., Quintero, Ángela, Henao, M. E., Restrepo, L., & Calderón, D. A. (2026). Ensayo no aleatorizado de una intervención con terapia de la risa y su efecto en la calidad de vida de personas mayores residentes en centros gerontológicos.: Non-randomized trial of an intervention using laughter therapy and its effect on the quality of life of older people residing in gerontological centers. Investigación Clínica, 67(2), 218-229. https://doi.org/10.54817/IC.v67n2a05
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