Smile therapy turned out to boost the self esteem of cancer patients, and make them feel better. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Smile therapy turned out to boost the self esteem of cancer patients, and make them feel better.
The research team at the cancer center of Seoul Asan hospital measured the effects of smile therapy on cancer patients who are going through chemo. They reported that a decrease in negative conditions such as depression and rage were observed.
The results of the research were published in the recent issue of ‘The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine’.
Among the 62 patients that participated in the study, 33 went through radiotherapy accompanied with 3 times of smile therapy, and the remaining 29 patients were only treated with radio therapy.
Results showed that the group that were treated with smile therapy showed an 88 percent improvement in mood state scores of anxiety, depression, rage, chaos and vitality, while the group that did not only showed a one percent improvement.
Smile therapy was also effective in boosting self esteem. While the smile therapy group showed a 12 percent elevation in self esteem, the other group showed no alternation.
Smile therapy consisted of 3 parts. During the first 10 minutes, the patients were educated on the effects that smiling and laughing can cause. Then, for 40 minutes, the patients laughed and smiled as they engaged in various physical activities. The medical staff made the patients laugh for more than 15 seconds at once. Then, everybody had a time to share their feelings during the next 10 minutes, maximizing the effects of smile therapy.
Kim Yeon-hee, head of the nursing staff at Seoul Asan hospital expresses her anticipation. “Now there is scientific proof that smile therapy can be used when treating cancer.”
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)
