A small clinical trial suggests that structured laughter therapy may improve breathing and overall health for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Key facts
- •The study involved 63 participants with COPD recruited at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital.
- •Participants in the laughter therapy group performed 30-minute sessions three times per week.
- •Benefits observed after eight weeks were still present one month after the trial ended.
- •Laughter therapy is a structured protocol distinct from spontaneous laughter, which can be harmful to COPD patients.
- •The findings were reported at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona.
A study presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona indicates that laughter therapy can help individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) breathe more easily. Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 63 patients, finding that those who participated in structured laughter sessions experienced improved health outcomes after eight weeks compared to a control group.
By the numbers
Study methodology and results
The trial, led by Goncagul Aldan, divided 63 participants from Ankara Bilkent City Hospital into three groups of 21. While all continued their standard medication, one group practiced pursed-lip breathing, another engaged in laughter therapy, and the third served as a control. The laughter therapy involved a structured program of rhythmic clapping, vocal sounds, and playful exercises like mimicking a lion roaring, performed for 30 minutes three times per week. After eight weeks, both the laughter therapy and pursed-lip breathing groups reported less difficulty breathing and better overall health than the control group. These benefits persisted one month after the trial concluded, although the therapy did not reduce the amount of daily caregiving assistance participants required.
Distinguishing therapy from spontaneous laughter
Aldan emphasizes that the therapy is a structured protocol rather than a spontaneous reaction to humor. Intense, unguided laughter can potentially cause adverse effects such as acute airway collapse or physical exertion. In contrast, the therapeutic approach incorporates deep breathing and rhythmic warm-ups to prepare the body, which may help exercise breathing muscles, improve lymphatic flow, and lower stress hormones.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by New Scientist.
