Abstract

Background: The present study was conducted to compare and examine the effects of tapping touch and laughter yoga for alleviating depression symptom and stress reactions among older adults requiring home care.
Methods: Tapping touch and laughter yoga were administered to 18 older adult day care users. We evaluated participants’ emotional reactions via a two-dimensional mood scale and VAS before and after tapping touch and laughter yoga activities.
Results: Activity-based care utilizing tapping touch was effective for reducing feelings of stress, pain, anxiety, and tension by placing users in a more relaxed and stable state. Laughter yoga revealed no significant effects, with the exception of a tendency toward increased comfort.
Conclusion: Tapping touch was effective at reducing stress and pain in the present sample. Although laughter yoga was not similarly effective, there is a possibility that modifying its implementation could enhance its efficacy.