Table 2.
Change of numerical rating scale scores for anxiety, depression, and stress after therapeutic laughter program.
| Intention-to-treat analysis | Per-protocol analysis | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental group (n = 31) |
Control group (n = 29) |
p value | Experimental group (n = 31) |
Control group (n = 29) |
p value | |
| Mean ± SD | Mean ± SD | Mean ± SD | Mean ± SD | |||
| Baseline | ||||||
| Anxiety | 3.42 ± 2.08 | 3.21 ± 2.24 | 0.66b | 3.20 ± 2.31 | 2.97 ± 1.92 | 0.70a |
| Depression | 3.48 ± 2.14 | 2.97 ± 1.92 | 0.33a | 3.30 ± 2.03 | 3.21 ± 2.24 | 0.83b |
| Stress | 3.32 ± 2.09 | 3.62 ± 1.95 | 0.57a | 3.35 ± 2.21 | 3.62 ± 1.95 | 0.38b |
| Postintervention | ||||||
| Anxiety | 1.48 ± 1.46 | 3.31 ± 2.22 | <0.01c | 1.10 ± 1.41 | 3.31 ± 2.22 | <0.01c |
| Depression | 1.65 ± 1.62 | 3.31 ± 2.04 | <0.01c | 1.30 ± 1.66 | 3.31 ± 2.04 | <0.01c |
| Stress | 1.26 ± 1.32 | 3.72 ± 1.81 | <0.01c | 0.80 ± 1.20 | 3.72 ± 1.81 | <0.01c |
| Difference | ||||||
| Anxiety | −1.94 ± 1.97 | 0.10 ± 1.97 | <0.01b | −2.20 ± 1.85 | 0.10 ± 1.97 | <0.01b |
| Depression | −1.84 ± 1.63 | 0.34 ± 1.97 | <0.01b | −1.90 ± 1.55 | 0.34 ± 1.97 | <0.01b |
| Stress | −2.06 ± 2.00 | 0.10 ± 2.14 | <0.01b | −2.55 ± 1.88 | 0.10 ± 2.14 | <0.01b |
p values were calculated by (a) independent t-test, (b) Mann-Whitney test, and (c) analysis of covariance test adjusting for marital status and baseline distress score.