The health benefits of positive emotions among community-dwelling older people

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860425
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Epidemiology and preventive medicine
• Research Institution: Kyoto University (2016); Fukushima Medical University (2014-2015)
• Principal Investigator: HIROSAKI MAYUMI 京都大学, 東南アジア地域研究研究所, 連携助教 (70586304)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: ポジティブ感情 / 笑い / 地域在住高齢者 / 日常生活動作（ADL） / 主観的健康度 / 笑いヨガ / 健康教室

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Elderly people with low frequency of laughter had a higher level of depressive symptoms and lower scores for ADLs than those with high frequency of laughter. A prospective cohort study showed that elderly people with low frequency of laughter and low self-rated health had a higher risk for subsequent functional decline compared to those with high frequency of laughter and good self-rated health, even after controlling for potential confounding factors.
A laughter yoga program had positive effects on hemoglobin A1c and positive affect among community-dwelling older people. The health program using laughter might provide physiological and psychological health benefits.

Free Research Field

健康心理学