Table 2.
Baseline characteristics of participants
| Baseline variables | Laughter Group (n = 117) | Control Group (n = 118) | P value | Total (n = 235) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean ± SD | Mean ± SD | Mean ± SD | ||
| Age, years | 66.8 ± 7.2 | 67.1 ± 8.8 | 0.38 | 66.9 ± 8.0 |
| Women, % | 98 (83.8) | 100 (84.8) | 0.84 | 198 (84.3) |
| Body Mass Index, kg/m2 | 23.1 ± 3.5 | 22.8 ± 3.2 | 0.35 | 23.0 ± 3.3 |
| Abdominal circumference, cm | 85.4 ± 10.0 | 85.0 ± 10.0 | 0.78 | 85.2 ± 10.0 |
| Obesitya, % | 47 (40.2) | 45 (38.1) | 0.75 | 92 (39.2) |
| Diabeticsb, % | 104 (88.9) | 109 (92.4) | 0.36 | 213 (90.6) |
| Hypertensionc, % | 80 (68.4) | 82 (69.5) | 0.85 | 162 (68.9) |
| Dyslipidemiad, % | 68 (58.1) | 64 (54.2) | 0.55 | 132 (56.2) |
| Habitual alcohol intake, % | 38 (32.5) | 41 (34.8) | 0.71 | 79 (33.6) |
| Smoking status, % | 2 (1.7) | 1 (0.85) | 0.56 | 3 (1.3) |
| Habitual exercisee, % | 77 (65.8) | 75 (63.6) | 0.72 | 152 (64.7) |
| The frequency of laughterf, % | 34 (29.1) | 23 (19.5) | 0.09 | 57 (24.3) |
| Subjective stress, score | 2.3 ± 0.9 | 2.2 ± 0.8 | 0.41 | 2.2 ± 0.8 |
| subjective well-being, score | 7.6 ± 1.7 | 7.5 ± 1.4 | 0.29 | 7.6 ± 1.5 |
| Geriatric depression scale 15, score | 3.7 ± 3.0 | 4.1 ± 3.1 | 0.49 | 3.9 ± 3.1 |
| The Revised Life Orientation Test, score | 13.4 ± 3.3 | 13.0 ± 3.2 | 0.45 | 13.2 ± 3.3 |
| SF-8 Health Survey Scoring, score | ||||
| Physical component summary | 46.6 ± 7.8 | 46.8 ± 7.6 | 0.99 | 46.7 ± 7.7 |
| Mental component summary | 48.8 ± 6.2 | 49.3 ± 6.7 | 0.30 | 49.0 ± 6.5 |
| Physical functioning | 47.4 ± 8.0 | 47.5 ± 8.1 | 0.75 | 47.5 ± 8.0 |
| Role physical | 48.1 ± 8.0 | 48.8 ± 6.7 | 0.90 | 48.5 ± 7.3 |
| Bodily pain | 48.2 ± 8.1 | 48.5 ± 8.9 | 0.69 | 48.3 ± 8.5 |
| General health perception | 48.4 ± 6.4 | 48.5 ± 7.1 | 0.85 | 48.5 ± 6.8 |
| Vitality | 49.2 ± 6.0 | 49.5 ± 5.9 | 0.68 | 49.4 ± 5.9 |
| Social functioning | 48.3 ± 8.3 | 48.7 ± 8.8 | 0.47 | 48.5 ± 8.5 |
| Role emotional | 49.2 ± 6.4 | 49.4 ± 6.2 | 0.76 | 49.3 ± 6.3 |
| Mental health | 48.7 ± 6.5 | 49.3 ± 6.9 | 0.38 | 49.0 ± 6.7 |
Values are means ± standard deviation (SD) and numbers (ratios). P values indicate the significance of the differences between the Laughter and Control groups. Mean values and ratios of the baseline characteristics for the laughter and the control groups were calculated and compared using an unpaired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or chi-square test
aObesity: higher body mass index (≥25 kg/m2) or higher waist circumference (≥85 cm for men, ≥90 cm for women)
bDiabetics: HbA1c ≥5.6% or with medication
cHypertension: systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mmHg or with medication
dDyslipidemia: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol < 40 mg/dL, triglyceride ≥150 mg/dL or with medication
eHabitual exercise: the frequency of people who have physical activity at least twice a week by exercise or recreation
fThe frequency of laughter: the frequency of people who laugh daily. SF-8: 8-Item Short Form Health Survey