The effect of laughter yoga on depression and serotonin levels in patients undergoing bariatric surgery

Aim: The study was carried out to determine the effect of laughter yoga on depression and serotonin levels in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Material and Method: The research was carried out between December 2018- April 2022 as a quasi-trial model with pre and post-test control group. The universe of the research; it consisted of 158 patients who had bariatric surgery at İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center General Surgery Service and 6-24 months had passed since the surgery. Sample size was determined using power analysis and 62 patients were sampled. Patient Information Form, Beck Depression Scale, Serotonin Level Registration Form were used for data collection. Patients in the laughter yoga group were applied 10 sessions. Depression and serotonin levels were determined as pre-test and post-test for the patients in the experimental and control groups. For data analysis; Number, Percentage, Mean, Standard deviation, Chi-square, Two paired samples and Independent Samples t test were used. Results: Depression and serotonin levels of the patients in laughter yoga group decreased in the post-test compared to the pre-test, and the decrease was found to be statistically significant (p˂0.05). In the post-test, the depression level of the laughter yoga group was found to be significantly lower than the control group (p˂0.05). The fact that serotonin level of the laughter yoga group was lower in the posttest compared to the control group wasn't found significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was determined laughter yoga effective in relieving depression after bariatric surgery, decreased serotonin levels, but the decrease wasn't significant. Keywords: Bariatric surgery, Laughter yoga, Depression, Serotonin, Nursing