The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a Doctoral Promotion Session on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the FPH UI Doctoral Promotion Room in Building G. The session was chaired by Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., who also served as a member of the examining committee. The doctoral candidate, Yanti Harjono Hadiwiardjo, a student of the Doctoral Program in Public Health Sciences, presented her dissertation titled “Effectiveness and Economic Evaluation of Laughter Therapy on Depression in the Elderly at Nursing Homes in 2024.” This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of laughter therapy in reducing depression levels and improving the quality of life of the elderly, while also assessing its economic aspect.
The elderly, defined as individuals aged 65 and above, are divided into two groups: early elderly (65-74 years) and late elderly (above 75 years). This group is vulnerable to various health challenges due to progressive changes in biological, psychological, and social structures as part of the aging process. The decline in anatomical and physiological conditions due to aging often affects physical, mental, and social health, thereby increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in this age group. The candidate explained that depression is a common mental health issue among the elderly, especially those over 65. “This condition not only affects daily life functions but also significantly lowers their quality of life,” Yanti stated.
In her research, Yanti Harjono Hadiwiardjo employed a crossover design and a true experimental research method with a time series approach. A total of 86 research subjects were selected using proportional random sampling and randomized to ensure the validity of the results. Data was collected using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Older People’s Quality of Life (OPQOL) questionnaires, which had been modified. Data analysis was conducted using the difference-in-difference (DID) test and a cost-effectiveness evaluation of two interventions: laughter therapy and puzzle therapy.
The results of the research presented by Yanti showed that laughter therapy had a significant impact on reducing depression levels at the start of the intervention before the crossover. However, after the crossover, no significant difference was found between laughter therapy and puzzle therapy, as both were equally effective in reducing depression levels. The same result occurred with the OPQOL scores, where no significant difference was found between the two interventions, indicating that both laughter therapy and puzzle therapy were equally effective in improving the quality of life of the elderly. From an economic evaluation perspective, laughter therapy proved to be more cost-effective. “This therapy was significantly more effective (65.1%) compared to puzzle therapy (37.2%) in reducing depression levels, with relatively low additional costs of Rp5,640 per successful case for every 1% reduction in depression,” explained Yanti.
These findings indicate that laughter therapy is a more effective and efficient intervention for improving the mental health of the elderly compared to puzzle therapy. The costs incurred are justified by the benefits, making laughter therapy an innovative solution that can be widely implemented in healthcare facilities, especially nursing homes. Key steps for implementing this program include conducting laughter therapy sessions for 8 weeks on a regular schedule. These sessions will involve nursing home staff and trained therapists or facilitators. Consistent accompaniment will be crucial to ensure the program’s success, while also providing emotional and social support to elderly participants.
The success of this program is not only measured by the reduction in depression levels but also by the improvement in the elderly’s quality of life, as reflected in psychosocial parameters. Through the proven effectiveness and cost-efficiency demonstrated by the research, laughter therapy emerges as a viable solution for widespread adoption, particularly in healthcare facilities serving the elderly population.
Based on the results of her dissertation, Yanti Harjono Hadiwiardjo was declared to have passed with “Very Satisfactory” honors, earning a cumulative GPA (IPK) of 3.84. She became the 6th graduate of the Doctoral Program in Public Health Sciences (IKM) in 2025, the 345th graduate of the IKM Doctoral Program, and the 450th Ph.D. graduate from FPH UI. During her research, Yanti received guidance from Dr. Dra. Rita Damayanti, MSPH., as her Promotor, with support from Co-Promotors Dr. dr. Fidiansyah, Sp.KJ, M.P.H., and Prof. Dr. drg. Mardiati Nadjib, M.Sc. The promotion session was chaired by Prof. Dr. dr. Sabarinah Prasetyo, M.Sc., as the Chair of the Examining Committee, with committee members including Prof. Dr. Ede Surya Darmawan, S.K.M., M.D.M.; Prof. Dr. Besral, S.K.M., M.Sc.; and Dr. dr. Trihono, M.Sc. (DFD)