An interventional study of Laughter Yoga in ELDERLY PEOPLE, sponsored by Artvin Coruh University. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey. Open to participants aged 60 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-11-12.
Sponsored by Artvin Coruh University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
Objective:
The study aims to evaluate the effects of Laughter Yoga on sleep quality, vitality, active aging, and quality of life in individuals aged 60 and over.
Method:
This randomized controlled experimental study will be conducted between 01.09.2024 and 31.12.2024 with elderly individuals aged 60 and over who are registered at Şavşat Family Health Center No. 1. The study population consists of 6,797 individuals. Participants will be randomly assigned to an experimental group (30) and a control group (30) using a simple randomization method. Data will be collected using a Personal Information Form, Mini-Mental State Examination, Active Aging Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Subjective Vitality Scale, and Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly. The experimental group will participate in 12 Laughter Yoga sessions, conducted twice a week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 40 minutes. No intervention will be applied to the control group. At the end of the 6th week, final measurements will be taken from both groups at the family health center.
Laughter yoga offers various approaches and insights related to humor, is low-cost, and can be easily practiced regardless of time and place, making it a highly effective and practical intervention. Research on the physiological health effects of laughter yoga has demonstrated that it enhances muscle activation, relaxes muscles, increases respiratory rate, stimulates circulation, improves oxygen saturation, reduces stress hormones (e.g., adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol), elevates beta-endorphin levels, alleviates pain, and enhances cognitive function. Additionally, the positive effects of humor and emotions such as happiness and optimism on psychosocial health are well-recognized. Studies on the psychosocial health outcomes of laughter yoga indicate that it reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, while improving mood, self-esteem, self-efficacy, happiness, optimism, and energy levels. Furthermore, it helps reduce interpersonal conflicts and tensions, enhances social relationships and quality of life, and boosts psychological well-being.
Although the use of laughter yoga among older adults is limited, research has shown that it has a positive impact on depression, anxiety, sleep quality, quality of life, loneliness, life satisfaction, blood pressure, and pain in this population.A review of the literature suggests that laughter yoga may be effective in improving certain physiological and psychosocial health outcomes, highlighting the need for further research.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of laughter yoga in nursing practice, support its application, and investigate its potential benefits for elderly individuals. Specifically, it seeks to assess its positive impact on sleep quality, vitality, active aging, and overall quality of life, while confirming that it poses no adverse side effects for older adults.
Elderly individuals registered at the family health center will be introduced to the study and provided with detailed information regarding its objectives. Those who meet the inclusion criteria and express interest in participating will be identified. After obtaining informed consent, participants will be assigned to groups according to a randomization list. The researcher has obtained an "International Laughter Yoga Leadership Certificate" to conduct the Laughter Yoga intervention within the scope of this study.
The Personal Information Form, Mini-Mental State Examination, Active Aging Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Subjective Vitality Scale, and Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly will be administered to both groups through face-to-face interviews conducted by the researcher (pre-test). Participants in the experimental group will be provided with comprehensive information about the Laughter Yoga intervention.
The experimental group will participate in 12 Laughter Yoga sessions, conducted twice a week over a 6-week period, with each session lasting 40 minutes. As the contagious nature of laughter facilitates easier participation when group size is larger, participants will not be divided into smaller groups during the Laughter Yoga sessions. The sessions will be led by the researcher, and their duration and frequency have been determined based on a thorough review of the relevant literature. Sessions will be held in the gymnasium of the institution where the researcher is employed, under optimal conditions. No intervention will be applied to the control group. At the end of the 6th week, participants from both groups will be invited to the family health center, where the Active Aging Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Subjective Vitality Scale, and Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly will be administered again (post-test).
Participants in both groups will continue using their routine medications throughout the 6-week study period. Upon completion of the research, elderly individuals in the control group will be offered information on Laughter Yoga upon request.
Elderly individuals registered at the family health center will be introduced to the study and provided with detailed information regarding its objectives. Those who meet the inclusion criteria and express interest in participating will be identified. After obtaining informed consent, participants will be assigned to groups according to a randomization list. The researcher has obtained an International Laughter Yoga Leadership Certificate to conduct the Laughter Yoga intervention within the scope of this study.
The Personal Information Form, Mini-Mental State Examination, Active Aging Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Subjective Vitality Scale, and Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly will be administered to both groups through face-to-face interviews conducted by the researcher (pre-test). Participants in the experimental group will be provided with comprehensive information about the Laughter Yoga intervention.
The experimental group will participate in 12 Laughter Yoga sessions, conducted twice a week over a 6-week period, with each session lasting 40 minutes. As the contagious nature of laughter facilitates easier participation when group size is larger, participants will not be divided into smaller groups during the Laughter Yoga sessions. The sessions will be led by the researcher, and their duration and frequency have been determined based on a thorough review of the relevant literature. Sessions will be held in the gymnasium of the institution where the researcher is employed, under optimal conditions. No intervention will be applied to the control group. At the end of the 6th week, participants from both groups will be invited to the family health center, where the Active Aging Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Subjective Vitality Scale, and Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly will be administered again (post-test).
Participants in both groups will continue using their routine medications throughout the 6-week study period. Upon completion of the research, elderly individuals in the control group will be offered information on Laughter Yoga upon request.
Artvin Coruh University is the lead sponsor of 26 studies on the registry; 15 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Personal Information Form, Mini-Mental State Examination, Active Aging Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Subjective Vitality Scale, and Quality of Life Scale for Elderly Individuals will be administered to elderly individuals via face-to-face interviews conducted by the researcher. Elderly individuals will be provided with information about the Laughter Yoga sessions. The elderly participants will undergo a total of 12 Laughter Yoga sessions, with each session lasting 40 minutes, conducted twice a week for 6 weeks. Participants' phone numbers will be collected, and they will be contacted twice a week to ensure their attendance at the Laughter Yoga sessions.
Other: Laughter Yoga
Personal Information Form, Mini-Mental State Examination, Active Aging Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Subjective Vitality Scale, and Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly will be administered to elderly individuals through face-to-face interviews conducted by the researcher. No intervention will be applied to the elderly individuals in this group. Phone numbers of the participants in this group will be collected, and they will be contacted once a week to check on their status.
Laughter Yoga Intervention: Laughter Yoga is composed of four stages: deep breathing exercises, clapping and warm-up exercises, childlike play, and laughter exercises. These stages are designed to remove barriers to laughter, enhance emotional expression through childlike play, and prepare the lungs for laughter exercises. Before the Laughter Yoga session begins, participants will be introduced to both the practice itself and to Laughter Yoga in general. The session will then proceed according to the following structure: Deep Breathing Exercises: Participants inhale through the nose for 4-5 seconds, hold their breath for 2-3 seconds, and exhale through the mouth, with lips pursed, for one second longer than the inhalation, while smiling or laughing. This exercise is performed for 10-15 minutes. Clapping and Warm-Up Exercises: Participants clap with palms and fingertips touching, keeping their hands parallel. This stimulates acupressure points in the hands. To increase group energy, a
Also known as: Laughter Therapy
Pre-test
Mini Mental State Test (MMST): Assesses cognitive function on a 0-30 scale; higher scores indicate better cognitive function. The score will be reported independently.
Time frame: Initial enrollment in the study
Active Aging Scale
Scores range from 0 to 272 across four subscales, with higher scores indicating greater active aging. This score is reported as a separate outcome.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Measures sleep quality, where scores of 5 or more indicate poor sleep quality. PSQI results are reported separately.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS)
Ranges from 7 to 49, with higher scores reflecting higher vitality. It is reported as an independent measure of vitality.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
CASP-13 Quality of Life Scale
Evaluates quality of life in terms of autonomy and satisfaction, with higher scores indicating better life quality, and will be reported separately.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Artvin Coruh University