Laughter therapy can ease breathing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is as effective as traditional breathing exercises, reports infohub.kz.
Researchers conducted a clinical trial, the results of which were presented by Dr. Goncagul Aldan from Hacettepe University in Ankara. The experiment compared three groups of COPD patients: one group underwent sessions of laughter yoga, the second performed the classic pursed-lip breathing exercise, and the third (control) received no additional techniques.
The sessions were held in person, and then patients continued to practice on their own for 30 minutes three times a week for two months. At the end of the program, participants in the first two groups showed equally significant reductions in shortness of breath. The positive effect and improvement in overall well-being persisted even a month after the end of the training.
The authors explain that in COPD, the airways collapse during exhalation, leading to air trapping in the lungs. Laughter actively engages the respiratory muscles, promotes deeper exhalation, and stimulates the release of endorphins. The doctors plan to conduct a larger international study to introduce this simple and accessible method into clinical practice.