Skip to main content

Table 2 Baseline characteristics of participants

From: Effects of a laughter program on body weight and mental health among Japanese people with metabolic syndrome risk factors: a randomized controlled trial

Baseline variables

Laughter Group (n = 117)

Control Group (n = 118)

P value

Total (n = 235)

Mean ± SD

Mean ± SD

Mean ± SD

Age, years

66.8 ± 7.2

67.1 ± 8.8

0.38

66.9 ± 8.0

Women, %

98 (83.8)

100 (84.8)

0.84

198 (84.3)

Body Mass Index, kg/m2

23.1 ± 3.5

22.8 ± 3.2

0.35

23.0 ± 3.3

Abdominal circumference, cm

85.4 ± 10.0

85.0 ± 10.0

0.78

85.2 ± 10.0

Obesitya, %

47 (40.2)

45 (38.1)

0.75

92 (39.2)

Diabeticsb, %

104 (88.9)

109 (92.4)

0.36

213 (90.6)

Hypertensionc, %

80 (68.4)

82 (69.5)

0.85

162 (68.9)

Dyslipidemiad, %

68 (58.1)

64 (54.2)

0.55

132 (56.2)

Habitual alcohol intake, %

38 (32.5)

41 (34.8)

0.71

79 (33.6)

Smoking status, %

2 (1.7)

1 (0.85)

0.56

3 (1.3)

Habitual exercisee, %

77 (65.8)

75 (63.6)

0.72

152 (64.7)

The frequency of laughterf, %

34 (29.1)

23 (19.5)

0.09

57 (24.3)

Subjective stress, score

2.3 ± 0.9

2.2 ± 0.8

0.41

2.2 ± 0.8

subjective well-being, score

7.6 ± 1.7

7.5 ± 1.4

0.29

7.6 ± 1.5

Geriatric depression scale 15, score

3.7 ± 3.0

4.1 ± 3.1

0.49

3.9 ± 3.1

The Revised Life Orientation Test, score

13.4 ± 3.3

13.0 ± 3.2

0.45

13.2 ± 3.3

SF-8 Health Survey Scoring, score

 Physical component summary

46.6 ± 7.8

46.8 ± 7.6

0.99

46.7 ± 7.7

 Mental component summary

48.8 ± 6.2

49.3 ± 6.7

0.30

49.0 ± 6.5

 Physical functioning

47.4 ± 8.0

47.5 ± 8.1

0.75

47.5 ± 8.0

 Role physical

48.1 ± 8.0

48.8 ± 6.7

0.90

48.5 ± 7.3

 Bodily pain

48.2 ± 8.1

48.5 ± 8.9

0.69

48.3 ± 8.5

 General health perception

48.4 ± 6.4

48.5 ± 7.1

0.85

48.5 ± 6.8

 Vitality

49.2 ± 6.0

49.5 ± 5.9

0.68

49.4 ± 5.9

 Social functioning

48.3 ± 8.3

48.7 ± 8.8

0.47

48.5 ± 8.5

 Role emotional

49.2 ± 6.4

49.4 ± 6.2

0.76

49.3 ± 6.3

 Mental health

48.7 ± 6.5

49.3 ± 6.9

0.38

49.0 ± 6.7

  1. Values are means ± standard deviation (SD) and numbers (ratios). P values indicate the significance of the differences between the Laughter and Control groups. Mean values and ratios of the baseline characteristics for the laughter and the control groups were calculated and compared using an unpaired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or chi-square test
  2. aObesity: higher body mass index (≥25 kg/m2) or higher waist circumference (≥85 cm for men, ≥90 cm for women)
  3. bDiabetics: HbA1c ≥5.6% or with medication
  4. cHypertension: systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mmHg or with medication
  5. dDyslipidemia: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol < 40 mg/dL, triglyceride ≥150 mg/dL or with medication
  6. eHabitual exercise: the frequency of people who have physical activity at least twice a week by exercise or recreation
  7. fThe frequency of laughter: the frequency of people who laugh daily. SF-8: 8-Item Short Form Health Survey
Back to article page

BMC Geriatrics

ISSN: 1471-2318

Contact us