Impact of an aerobic laughter therapy psychosocial support program on 3,305 orphans and vulnerable children from AIDS in South Africa over a three month period

Background: Many of the 15 million orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) from AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa suffer trauma from watching one or both parents die slowly, and further trauma from death of siblings, separation from siblings, relocation, and social stigma. With little treatment available, this trauma can arrest or slow development and result in a host of childhood, youth, and lifelong mental health and social problems. A positive psychology based psychosocial support (PSS) program using aerobic laughter has been shown to heal trauma and improve mental health of OVC in a small sample in a South African daycare center. To assess the efficacy of the PSS program on a larger scale a group of 97 rural home-based care workers in Eastern Cape province, South Africa, were trained to provide the therapy to 3,305 OVC aged 0-18 years in their care. Methods: After a one-day group training, care workers implemented therapy with the children in their care. Qualitative assessment comprising individual interviews with care workers took place 2 weeks, and again two months after training. Results: Caregivers reported that OVC experienced significant mental health improvements including reduction and healing of trauma, improved coping, increased self-confidence, increased hope and happiness, reduced mood-swings and depression, improved learning and communication, and improved relations with care workers and others. Conclusions: Aerobic laughter based PSS programs can be rolled out quickly and effectively and can result in significant healing, and improved mental health and development of OVC in care without the need for mental health professionals.