From Chuckles to Healing: 2023’s Comprehensive Guide to Laughter Studies

In an era marked by fast change and many challenges, understanding how to care for our well-being and that of those around us is more important than ever. This article brings together 23 insightful studies from 2023, each illuminating the healing power of laughter.

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The Healing Power of Laughter

These studies traverse diverse demographics, including the elderly, cancer patients, nurses, and students, offering a window into how laughter not only uplifts but also provides tangible health benefits. I’ve organized them into three distinct sections —by publication month, age group, and area of health impact— to give you a richer understanding.

As you delve into these insightful studies, remember that each one represents a step forward in understanding how laughter (still a vastly untapped science) can be a key element in enhancing our overall well-being. For those interested in exploring this further, I highly recommend our free online course, “Laughter Leadership: Master Facilitating Laughter Wellness Classes” and upcoming Laughter Wellness events. These are a great resource for heart-centered and wellness-conscious professionals who want to elevate their offerings and make a positive difference in the lives of their clients and communities.

2023 Laughter Studies Sorted by Month

December 2023

• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Reducing Depression Levels in the Elderly” by Primasari et al., 2023-12-23. Found laughter therapy significantly reduced depression levels in the elderly, enhancing their mental health and overall well-being. Primasari et al., 2023.

November 2023

• “General Studies in Turkey on Laughter Therapy/Yoga and Their Effectiveness” by Özkan Uğuz, 2023-11-21. This comprehensive review conducted in Turkey encompasses various studies on laughter therapy and yoga, demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing pain, depression, fatigue, mental symptoms, stress, and anxiety. Additionally, it highlights the benefits of these therapies in enhancing psychological well-being, sleep quality, general health status, and quality of life. Uğuz, 2023.
• “Laughter Yoga for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea in Cancer Patients” by Mohammad Namazinia et al., 2023-11-01. Demonstrated laughter yoga’s effectiveness in significantly reducing nausea experienced by chemotherapy patients. Namazinia et al., 2023.

October 2023

• “Effects of Laughter Therapy on Improving Negative Emotions Associated with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” by Hongyu Shi et al., 2023-10-31. Indicated that laughter therapy effectively reduces anxiety, stress, pain, fatigue, and depression in cancer patients. Shi et al., 2023.
• “Distance Online Laughter Yoga (DOLY) Intervention on Work Depression” by Harish Rawat et al., 2023-10-14. Found DOLY to be effective in significantly reducing work depression symptoms among remote corporate employees. Rawat et al., 2023.

September 2023

• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Level of Stress Among Elderly People Residing in Selected Old Age Home” by Swati Shende et al., 2023-09-15. Showed a substantial reduction in stress levels among elderly residents of an old age home following laughter therapy sessions. Shende et al., 2023.

August 2023

• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Reducing Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in the Elderly” by Putri Freanti et al., 2023-08-30. Demonstrated a positive impact in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, enhancing quality of life for the elderly. Freanti et al., 2023.
• “Effects of Laughter Therapy on Perceived Stress and Quality of Life in Persons with Schizophrenia” by Ayşe Gül Yavaş Ayhan and Fatma Özlem Öztürk, 2023-08-29. This mixed-method pilot study found that laughter therapy increased the quality of life for people with schizophrenia, but did not significantly affect perceived stress levels. Ayhan & Öztürk, 2023.

July 2023

• “A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Distance Laughter Therapy for Mothers’ Level of Depression, Anxiety, and Parental Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic” by Yejung Ko and Sihyun Park, 2023-07-14. Established that distance laughter therapy effectively reduces depression, anxiety, and parental stress among mothers during the pandemic. Ko & Park, 2023.
• “Laughter Yoga on Sleep Quality in Individuals with Fecal Ostomies” by Deniz Harputlu et al., 2023-07-01. Observed a positive effect on sleep quality in individuals with fecal ostomies through laughter yoga sessions. Harputlu et al., 2023.

June 2023

• “Laughter Therapy’s Role in Improving the Quality of Life for the Elderly” by Putri Freanti et al., 2023-06-30. Five articles were reviewed in this study, which concluded that laughter therapy has a positive impact on the quality of life of the elderly, particularly in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Putri Freanti et al., 2023.
• “Effect Of Laughter Therapy On Stress In The Elderly” by Ayu deka wati et al., 2023-06-27. Reported a significant reduction in stress among the elderly following laughter therapy.
• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Reducing Depression Levels in the Elderly” by Primasari, M. Rahmawati, Suhari, Akhmad Fajrul Rizqi, 2023-06-23. A literature review that included 10 studies focusing on the effectiveness of laughter therapy in reducing depression levels among the elderly. Primasari et al., 2023.
• “Laughter Yoga Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life in Cancer Patients” by Mohammad Namazinia et al., 2023-06-12. A randomized clinical trial that examined the impact of laughter yoga on emotional and physical functioning, role functioning, fatigue, and pain in cancer patients. Revealed significant improvements in emotional and physical functioning, role functioning, fatigue, and pain in cancer patients through laughter yoga. Namazinia et al., 2023.

May 2023

• “Laughter Yoga Therapy: A Holistic Approach for Resilience and Recovery of COVID-19 Infected Clients” by Melliza-Descallar and Prado, May 2023. Highlighted laughter yoga therapy as an effective holistic approach for enhancing resilience and aiding recovery in COVID-19-infected clients. Melliza-Descallar & Prado, 2023.

April 2023

• “Evaluation of The Effect of Laughter Yoga Applied To Nursing 1st Grade Students Before The Clinical Practice Exam on Exam Anxiety” by İlknur Atasever et al., 2023-04-13. Found that laughter yoga sessions before a clinical practice exam were beneficial, leading to reduced anxiety, and stress, and improved self-confidence among the students. The study emphasized the potential of laughter yoga as a supportive tool for academic performance and well-being in stressful academic settings. Atasever et al., 2023.
• “Laughter Yoga’s Effect on Nurses’ Resilience and Sleep Quality During COVID-19” by A. Sis Çelik & S. Yarali, 2023-04-07. Demonstrated substantial improvements in resilience and sleep quality among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Çelik & Yarali, 2023.

March 2023

• “Laughter Yoga for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes” by Mayumi Hirosaki et al., 2023-03-31. Showed significant improvements in glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes through a 12-week laughter yoga program. Hirosaki et al., 2023.
• “Laughter Yoga and Individual and Peer Happiness Among Cancer Patients” by Yesiana Dwi Wahyu Werdani, 2023-03-28. Identified laughter yoga as a method for enhancing individual happiness among cancer patients during pandemic therapy sessions. Werdani, 2023.

February 2023

• “The Effect of Laughter Therapy Base on The Rate of Depression in Elderly at Pesanggrahan Majapahit Local Government, Mojokerto” by Imam Zaenuri et al., 2023-02-28. Discovered that laughter therapy significantly reduces depression rates in the elderly.
• “Laughter Yoga on Loneliness, Psychological Resilience, and Quality of Life in Older Adults Living in a Nursing Home: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial” by Fatma Özlem Öztürk et al., 2023-02-15. Observed significant reductions in loneliness and increases in psychological resilience and quality of life in older adults living in a nursing home following laughter yoga sessions. Öztürk et al., 2023.

January 2023

• “The Influence of Laughter Yoga on Pregnancy Symptoms, Mental Well-being, and Prenatal Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Study” by Safiye Ağapınar Şahin and Mine Bekar, 2023-01-10. Found laughter yoga is effective in reducing pregnancy symptoms and increasing mental well-being and prenatal attachment in pregnant women (Şahin & Bekar, 2023).
• “Laughter Yoga on Perceived Stress, Positive Psychological Capital, and Exercise Capacity in Lung Cancer Chemotherapy Patients” by Shuangrong Han et al., 2023-01-01. Demonstrated that laughter yoga significantly improves psychological capital and exercise capacity, and reduces perceived stress in lung cancer chemotherapy patients (Han et al., 2023).

2023 Laughter Studies Sorted by Age Group

Note: You will find a summary of each study’s findings and a link to its abstract in the section 2023 Laughter Studies Sorted by Month above. Use the date as a reference.

Seniors

• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Reducing Depression Levels in the Elderly” by Primasari et al., 2023-12-23.
• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Level of Stress Among Elderly People Residing in Selected Old Age Home” by Swati Shende et al., 2023-09-15.
• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Reducing Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in the Elderly” by Putri Freanti et al., 2023-08-30.
• “Laughter Therapy’s Role in Improving the Quality of Life for the Elderly” by Putri Freanti et al., 2023-06-30.
• “Effect Of Laughter Therapy On Stress In The Elderly” by Ayu deka wati et al., 2023-06-27.
• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Reducing Depression Levels in the Elderly” by Primasari, M. Rahmawati, Suhari, Akhmad Fajrul Rizqi, 2023-06-23.
• “The Effect of Laughter Therapy Base on The Rate of Depression in Elderly at Pesanggrahan Majapahit Local Government, Mojokerto” by Imam Zaenuri et al., 2023-02-28.
• “Laughter Yoga on Loneliness, Psychological Resilience, and Quality of Life in Older Adults Living in a Nursing Home: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial” by Fatma Özlem Öztürk et al., 2023-02-15.

Adults (General)

• “General Studies in Turkey on Laughter Therapy/Yoga and Their Effectiveness” by Özkan Uğuz, 2023-11-21.
• “Effects of Laughter Therapy on Improving Negative Emotions Associated with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” by Hongyu Shi et al., 2023-10-31.
• “Distance Online Laughter Yoga (DOLY) Intervention on Work Depression” by Harish Rawat et al., 2023-10-14.
• “Effects of Laughter Therapy on Perceived Stress and Quality of Life in Persons with Schizophrenia” by Ayşe Gül Yavaş Ayhan and Fatma Özlem Öztürk, 2023-08-29.
• “Laughter Yoga on Sleep Quality in Individuals with Fecal Ostomies” by Deniz Harputlu et al., 2023-07-01.
• “Laughter Yoga Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life in Cancer Patients” by Mohammad Namazinia et al., 2023-06-12.
• “Laughter Yoga’s Effect on Nurses’ Resilience and Sleep Quality During COVID-19” by A. Sis Çelik & S. Yarali, 2023-04-07.
• “Laughter Yoga for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes” by Mayumi Hirosaki et al., 2023-03-31.
• “Laughter Yoga and Individual and Peer Happiness Among Cancer Patients” by Yesiana Dwi Wahyu Werdani, 2023-03-28.
• “Laughter Yoga on Perceived Stress, Positive Psychological Capital, and Exercise Capacity in Lung Cancer Chemotherapy Patients” by Shuangrong Han et al., 2023-01-01.

Young Adults/Students

• “Evaluation of The Effect of Laughter Yoga Applied To Nursing 1st Grade Students Before The Clinical Practice Exam on Exam Anxiety” by İlknur Atasever et al., 2023-04-13.

Specific Groups

Note: You will find a summary of each study’s findings and a link to its abstract in the section 2023 Laughter Studies Sorted by Month above. Use the date as a reference.

• “Laughter Yoga for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea in Cancer Patients” by Mohammad Namazinia et al., 2023-11-01.
• “A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Distance Laughter Therapy for Mothers’ Level of Depression, Anxiety, and Parental Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic” by Yejung Ko and Sihyun Park, 2023-07-14.
• “Laughter Yoga Therapy: A Holistic Approach for Resilience and Recovery of COVID-19 Infected Clients” by Melliza-Descallar and Prado, May 2023.
• “The Influence of Laughter Yoga on Pregnancy Symptoms, Mental Well-being, and Prenatal Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Study” by Safiye Ağapınar Şahin and Mine Bekar, 2023-01-10.

2023 Laughter Studies Sorted by Area of Impact

Physical Health

• “Laughter Yoga for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea in Cancer Patients” by Mohammad Namazinia et al., 2023-11-01.
• “Effects of Laughter Therapy on Improving Negative Emotions Associated with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” by Hongyu Shi et al., 2023-10-31.
• “Laughter Yoga on Sleep Quality in Individuals with Fecal Ostomies” by Deniz Harputlu et al., 2023-07-01.
• “Laughter Yoga Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life in Cancer Patients” by Mohammad Namazinia et al., 2023-06-12.
• “Laughter Yoga’s Effect on Nurses’ Resilience and Sleep Quality During COVID-19” by A. Sis Çelik & S. Yarali, 2023-04-07.
• “Laughter Yoga for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes” by Mayumi Hirosaki et al., 2023-03-31.
• “Laughter Yoga on Perceived Stress, Positive Psychological Capital, and Exercise Capacity in Lung Cancer Chemotherapy Patients” by Shuangrong Han et al., 2023-01-01.
• “The Influence of Laughter Yoga on Pregnancy Symptoms, Mental Well-being, and Prenatal Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Study” by Safiye Ağapınar Şahin and Mine Bekar, 2023-01-10.

Mental Health

• “Distance Online Laughter Yoga (DOLY) Intervention on Work Depression” by Harish Rawat et al., 2023-10-14.
• “Effects of Laughter Therapy on Perceived Stress and Quality of Life in Persons with Schizophrenia” by Ayşe Gül Yavaş Ayhan and Fatma Özlem Öztürk, 2023-08-29.
• “Laughter Yoga Therapy: A Holistic Approach for Resilience and Recovery of COVID-19 Infected Clients” by Melliza-Descallar and Prado, May 2023.
• “Evaluation of The Effect of Laughter Yoga Applied To Nursing 1st Grade Students Before The Clinical Practice Exam on Exam Anxiety” by İlknur Atasever et al., 2023-04-13.
• “Laughter Yoga and Individual and Peer Happiness Among Cancer Patients” by Yesiana Dwi Wahyu Werdani, 2023-03-28.

Emotional Health

• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Reducing Depression Levels in the Elderly” by Primasari et al., 2023-12-23.
• “General Studies in Turkey on Laughter Therapy/Yoga and Their Effectiveness” by Özkan Uğuz, 2023-11-21.
• “A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Distance Laughter Therapy for Mothers’ Level of Depression, Anxiety, and Parental Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic” by Yejung Ko and Sihyun Park, 2023-07-14.
• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Level of Stress Among Elderly People Residing in Selected Old Age Home” by Swati Shende et al., 2023-09-15.
• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Reducing Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in the Elderly” by Putri Freanti et al., 2023-08-30.
• “Laughter Therapy’s Role in Improving the Quality of Life for the Elderly” by Putri Freanti et al., 2023-06-30.
• “Effect Of Laughter Therapy On Stress In The Elderly” by Ayu deka wati et al., 2023-06-27.
• “Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Reducing Depression Levels in the Elderly” by Primasari, M. Rahmawati, Suhari, Akhmad Fajrul Rizqi, 2023-06-23.
• “The Effect of Laughter Therapy Base on The Rate of Depression in Elderly at Pesanggrahan Majapahit Local Government, Mojokerto” by Imam Zaenuri et al., 2023-02-28.
• “Laughter Yoga on Loneliness, Psychological Resilience, and Quality of Life in Older Adults Living in a Nursing Home: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial” by Fatma Özlem Öztürk et al., 2023-02-15.

Embracing Laughter for Holistic Wellness: Are You Ready?

Adding to decades of empirical research, the studies from 2023 contribute to a growing body of evidence that laughter is an essential complementary tool for fostering health and well-being that’s noninvasive and non-pharmacological. These insights, drawn from various contexts and populations, affirm that laughter is more than mere amusement—it’s a formidable ally in fostering health and well-being throughout people’s lifespans. When applied effectively, it becomes an essential tool for healing, enriching not just our own lives but also those around us.

For those in the wellness field, or anyone keen to integrate these findings into their practices, our free “Laughter Leadership: Master Facilitating Laughter Wellness Classes” course, alongside our upcoming Laughter Wellness events, provide an excellent opportunity. These resources are crafted to arm you with the necessary knowledge and skills to leverage the power of laughter, enabling you to make a significant, positive impact on the health and happiness of those you serve.

In conclusion, let’s embrace the broader perspective that laughter has a lot more to offer than being a simple escape from daily stresses; We now know how to use it as a transformative tool and a cornerstone of holistic wellness, harnessing it as a force for positive change that enriches our personal and collective well-being.

Are you ready?