The effects of a simulated laughter programme on mood, cortisol levels, and health-related quality of life among haemodialysis patients

• A 4-week simulated laughter programme was administered to haemodialysis patients.
• The group sessions promoted simulated laughter, breathing, stretching, and meditation.
• Daily individual laughter sessions were administered via telephone.
• The simulated laughter programme helped improve the patients' mood.
• The programme also improved perceptions regarding health-related quality of life.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of a simulated laughter programme on mood, cortisol levels, and health-related quality of life among haemodialysis patients.MethodsForty participants were randomly assigned to a laughter group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). Eleven participants completed the laughter programme after haemodialysis sessions and 18 control participants remained. The 4-week simulated laughter programme included weekly 60 min group sessions of simulated laughter, breathing, stretching exercises, and meditation, as well as daily 15 s individual laughter sessions administered via telephone. Mood, cortisol levels, and health-related quality of life were analysed using the rank analysis of covariance, and Wilcoxon's signed rank test.ResultsThe laughter group exhibited improvements in mood, symptoms, social interaction quality, and role limitations due to physical health.ConclusionThe simulated laughter programme may help improve mood and health-related quality of life among haemodialysis patients.