The Effect of a Laughter-Based Intervention on Airway Patency in Children with Tracheostomy: A Quasi Experimental Study

Background: Children with tracheostomies rely on airway patency and respiratory function, but obstruction and discomfort can reduce quality of life for both the child and family. Non-pharmacological options, like laughter, may offer benefits.Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of laughter on airway patency in hospitalized children with tracheostomies, emphasizing the potential non-invasive therapeutic benefits in enhancing respiratory outcomes.Method: This quasi-experimental study enrolled eighty children aged ۶–۱۲ with tracheostomies in Tehran (March ۲۰۲۱–July ۲۰۲۲). Participants were convenience-sampled and randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. The intervention: two ۱۵-minute laughter sessions over two consecutive days. The laughter-based intervention consisted of watching a comedic animation ("The Adventures of Oscar") and engaging in puppet play. Airway patency was monitored via SpO₂, respiratory rate, and suctioning frequency thrice daily for two days post-intervention. Data were collected with a demographic–clinical questionnaire and validated monitoring devices. Analyses used t-tests, Mann–Whitney, Chi-square, Friedman's test, and GEEs (p<۰.۰۵) in SPSS v۲۰.Results: About ۸۸.۸% of participants breathed spontaneously. No significant baseline differences between groups. SpO₂ rose significantly at the ۵th and ۶th measurements (p=۰.۰۲۶, p=۰.۰۱۶). The intervention group had a lower respiratory rate across all six time points (p<۰.۰۵). Suctioning frequency declined significantly in the intervention group only at the ۶th measurement (p=۰.۰۱۱). GEE showed a significant time-by-group reduction in respiratory rate for the intervention group (p=۰.۰۰۳); no between-group differences were found for SpO₂ (p=۰.۲۱۸) or suctioning frequency (p=۰.۵۰۴).Implications for Practice: Laughter-based interventions are feasible non-pharmacological strategies to improve respiratory function in pediatric tracheostomy care and can be integrated into routine care.

کلیدواژه ها:

Airway Patency ، Children ، Laughter ، Tracheostomy