The effect of laughter therapy using virtual reality on the severity of depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder: a narrative review

Introduction: Major depressive disorder is one of the most common psychiatric diseases. Laughtertherapy, as a non-pharmacological and alternative treatment method, has a positive effect onmental health and psychiatric diseases. This review study was conducted with the aim of determiningthe effect of laughter therapy using virtual reality on the severity of depressive symptomsin patients with major depressive disorder.Materials and methods: To access the studies, the researcher searched the Google Scholar searchengine and international information databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect and Iranian databasessuch as SID and Magiran in the period from ۲۰۱۰ to ۲۰۲۲ with keywords including laughtertherapy, Major depressive disorder, Virtual reality.Results: Improvements in severity of depressive symptoms were found at post-treatment. At follow-up, depressive symptoms had decreased. These improvements were maintained at follow-up.No increase was observed in social activity. These results have shown a correlation between asense of humor and decreased depressive features.Conclusion: The laughter therapy technique based on reality therapy can lead to a reduction inthe severity of depression symptoms, which is recommended to be used in the treatment of patientswith major depressive disorder along with other treatment methods.

کلیدواژه ها:

laughter therapy ، Major depressive disorder ، Virtual reality