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The Effects of Laughter Therapy on Hemodialysis on Depression

The Effects of Laughter Therapy on Hemodialysis on Depression: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04098627
Acronym
LOL-HD
Enrollment
152
Registered
2019-09-23
Start date
2018-04-01
Completion date
2019-03-28
Last updated
2019-10-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

End Stage Kidney Disease

Keywords

laughter, depression, hemodialysis

Brief summary

End stage kidney disease is associated with increased depression. Laughter is associated with improvement in depression in chronic disease. The study objective was to measure the effect of intradialytic group laughter therapy on anxiety and depression. Pragmatic randomized controlled trial conducted in 10 hemodialysis centers in Northern California. The intervention group received a once weekly 30-minute long group laughter therapy session for 8 weeks. Primary outcome was depression score as measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALLaughter Therapy

Once weekly 30-minute long group laughter therapy session for 8 weeks

Sponsors

Satellite Healthcare
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Statistical Analysis Blinded

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) and currently undergoing hemodialysis at a Satellite Healthcare Hemodialysis Center * Ability to understand English

Exclusion criteria

* Cognitive impairment

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Depression8 weeksChange in General Anxiety Disorder Scale 2 (GAD -2) in intervention group compared to change in the usual care group. The construct is the screening measure of depression which is calculated by the sum of 2 items on a scale of 0 to 3. A score of 3 or greater for depression is considered positive for screening purposes. The higher the sore the greater the chance of depression risk and thus the worse outcome.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Anxiety8 weeksChange in the anxiety subscale of the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ4) in intervention group compared to change in the usual care group.The construct is the screening measure of anxiety which is calculated by the sum of 2 items on a scale of 0 to 3. A score of 3 or greater for anxiety is considered positive for screening purposes. The higher the sore the greater the chance of anxiety risk and thus the worse outcome.
Subjective Wellbeing8 weeksChange in Subjective Wellbeing using the 7 item Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) in the intervention group compared to change in the usual care group. Subjective wellbeing measures the construct of long term happiness. The Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) is a 7 item validated scale that rates satisfaction with life in seven domains: standard of living, health, achievements in life, relationships, safety, community and future security, on an 11-point scale. The higher the rating the better the outcome. Measures are individually scored and cumulatively scored.
Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs)8 weeksChange in PROMS using the 6 item London Evaluation of Illness (LEVIL) in the intervention group compared to change in the usual care group. LEVIL is a 6 item visual analogue scale (VAS) developed and used in hemodialysis patients that measures general wellbeing (GWB), pain, sleep, breathing, energy, and appetite. The anchors for GWB, sleep and appetite were very poor-excellent, for pain and breathing extreme-no problem and for energy extremely fatigued-full of energy. For each domain the VAS allowed free selection of status along a line from worst (0) to best (100). Measures are individually scored and cumulatively scored.
Psychological Distress - Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ4)8 weeksChange in Psychological Distress, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ4), in intervention group compared to change in the usual care group. The construct is the screening measure of psychological distress which is calculated by the sum of 4 items on a scale of 0 to 3. A score of 0 to 2 is no distress, 3-5 is mild distress, 6-8 is moderate distress and 9-12 is severe distress. The higher the sore the greater the psychological distress and thus the worse outcome.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026