Authors and Affiliation:

• Attila Szabo, Tímea Berkes, and Ferenc Köteles are affiliated with the Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
• Ferenc Ihász is affiliated with the Institute of Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Szombathely, Hungary.

Date and Place of Study:

The study was published in the Baltic Journal of Sport & Health Sciences in 2021 and was conducted in Budapest, Hungary.

Objectives of the Study:

The study had several key objectives:

1. To investigate the psychological effects of observing Laughter Yoga visually without physical participation.
2. To explore the physiological responses (such as changes in heart rate and respiration rate) to both visual and active participation in Laughter Yoga.
3. To compare the energy expenditure during Laughter Yoga to the basal metabolic rate (BMR) to determine if Laughter Yoga could be classified as a form of physical exercise.
4. To assess the relationship between humor styles, expectancy about the effects of laughter, and the psychological changes due to Laughter Yoga.

Study Protocol:

Study 1: Visual Experience of Laughter Yoga

Participants: 13 young women, average age 21.92 years (standard deviation ± 1.66 years).

Methods:

Participants watched a video titled “Laughter Yoga 40 Foundation Exercises” for about 25 minutes.

Psychological measures such as Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Feeling Scale (FS), and Felt Arousal Scale (FAS) were used to evaluate changes in mood and arousal before and after watching the video.

Heart rate and respiration rate were monitored using Firstbeat TeamBelts to assess physiological responses.

Procedure: Participants were equipped with heart rate monitors and observed a Laughter Yoga session via video. They completed questionnaires assessing mood and physiological responses before and after the session.

Study 2: Practice Experience of Laughter Yoga

Participants: 25 older women, average age 63.83 years (standard deviation ± 11.91 years). Most participants were above 52 years, except two aged 35 and 40.

Methods:

• • Participants attended a regular Laughter Yoga class in Budapest.
  • Similar psychological and physiological measures as in Study 1 were used (PANAS, FS, FAS).
  • Heart rate and respiration rate were also monitored.

Procedure: Participants signed consent forms, completed initial questionnaires, and wore heart rate monitors. They then participated in a real-time Laughter Yoga session, after which they repeated the psychological assessments and provided feedback on their experience.

Key Findings and Outcomes:

1. Psychological Effects:
   • Study 1 (Visual Experience): Watching the Laughter Yoga video resulted in:
     • A significant decrease in negative affect, suggesting reduced negative emotions.
     • An increase in feeling states and perceived arousal, indicating improved mood and heightened awareness or excitement.

No significant changes were observed in positive affect, indicating that just watching Laughter Yoga might not boost positive emotions as effectively as participating in it.

Here is a graphical bar chart showing the pre- and post-intervention scores for the group who watched the laughter videos in the visual group. The scores represent changes in positive affect, negative affect, feeling state, and felt arousal before and after the intervention. You can clearly see improvements, particularly in positive affect and feeling state, while negative affect decreased after the session.

Here is a graphical representation of the physiological changes (heart rate, respiratory rate, and BMR) for the group who watched the laughter videos. The chart compares pre- and post-intervention measurements, showing increases in heart rate and respiratory rate, as well as BMR values (sedentary, light, and moderate activity levels). The intervention appears to have a noticeable effect on these physiological parameters. ​

Study 2 (Practice Experience): Active participation led to:

• • • Increased positive affect and feeling states, showing a boost in positive emotions and overall mood.
    • Decreased negative affect, further supporting the mood-enhancing benefits of engaging in Laughter Yoga.
    • Increased felt arousal, suggesting that participants felt more energized and alert after the session.

2. Physiological Effects:

• Study 1: Participants showed an increase in heart rate and respiration rate while watching the video, indicating mild physiological arousal even without physical activity.
• Study 2: A significant increase in heart rate was observed during the Laughter Yoga class, comparable to light to moderate physical exercise. Most participants’ heart rates were in the “warm-up zone” (51% of the time), with some time spent in the “fat-burning” and “aerobic training” zones.

3.Energy Expenditure:

• The study measured energy expenditure to compare it against the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR):
  • In Study 1, energy expenditure while watching the video was higher than the BMR for sedentary and lightly active individuals but not for those with a moderate activity level.
  • In Study 2, energy expenditure during active participation was significantly higher than the BMR across all activity levels, indicating that Laughter Yoga can serve as a mild form of exercise, especially beneficial for older adults.

Conclusion:

The study concludes that Laughter Yoga has significant positive psychological and physiological effects on women. Watching or participating in Laughter Yoga can enhance mood, reduce negative emotions, and slightly increase physical arousal.

Laughter Yoga also involves mild physical activity, making it a safe, enjoyable, and health-promoting exercise, particularly for older adults. It provides an accessible form of recreation that can offer both emotional and physical benefits, regardless of individual differences in humor perception or expectations.

Practical Implications:

• For Older Adults: Laughter Yoga can be recommended as a gentle exercise option that provides psychological and physical health benefits. It’s particularly useful for those with limited mobility or a preference for low-impact activities.
• For Health Promotion: Laughter Yoga could be integrated into programs aimed at improving mental and physical well-being in community and clinical settings, offering a unique approach to health promotion through laughter and mild physical activity.