LAUSR

OBJECTIVE This study examined the effects of a laughter programme with entrainment music on stress, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among gynaecological cancer patients. METHODS This quasi-experimental study randomly assigned participants to either a laughter group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 19). The 8-week laughter programme included a weekly 60-min group session composed of laughter, deep breathing, stretching, meditation, and entrainment music-related activities (chorusing, body movement, and dancing). Values involving stress, depression, and HRQoL from before and after the programme were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test and rank analysis of covariance. RESULTS The laughter group exhibited improvements in relation with stress and depression, as well as improvement in the emotional and functional well-being of HRQoL domains. CONCLUSION A laughter programme with entrainment music may be used as a stress-moderator and a positive emotion-enhancing strategy among gynaecological cancer patients.