Laughter Therapy: A Key to Reducing Anxiety and Improving Life Satisfaction
Laughter has long been known as a source of joy and amusement, but recent research suggests it may also have therapeutic benefits. A study conducted by University of Jaén investigators has revealed significant reductions in anxiety and increased life satisfaction in adults through laughter therapy across 33 clinical trials.
Anxiety management and life satisfaction are crucial components of psychological well-being in positive psychology. Previous studies have explored anxiety control with limited age ranges and without considering research developments since 2019. Furthermore, no meta-analysis has specifically examined life satisfaction as an outcome of laughter therapy.
In the study titled “The Role of Laughter Therapy in Adults: Life Satisfaction and Anxiety Control. A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis,” published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, researchers conducted a systematic review of 33 randomized controlled trials involving 2,159 adult participants. The trials spanned from 1991 to 2024 and included individuals from various health-care and non-health-care social settings, with a majority of participants being women.
Results from each trial were analyzed using standardized mean differences (SMD), a measure that allows for the comparison of results from different scales on the same metric. The meta-analysis revealed significant large effects for anxiety management (SMD = -0.83) and increased life satisfaction (SMD = 0.98) in adults who underwent laughter therapy.
Subgroup analyses highlighted the effectiveness of laughter yoga, showing large effects for anxiety (SMD = -1.02) and life satisfaction (SMD = 1.28). Control group comparisons indicated that laughter therapy had a more substantial impact on anxiety compared to no intervention or usual care.
Interestingly, online laughter therapy was found to have negligible effects on anxiety, suggesting that the social interaction component of in-person therapy may play a significant role in its effectiveness.
The authors of the study concluded that laughter therapy could be a valuable tool in reducing anxiety levels and enhancing life satisfaction in adults. They recommend further randomized controlled trials to strengthen the evidence and encourage the integration of these therapies into regular practice.
In conclusion, laughter therapy offers a promising avenue for improving mental well-being and overall quality of life. By harnessing the power of laughter, individuals may find relief from anxiety and experience a greater sense of satisfaction and happiness.
