Laughter may help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improve breathing - Sarmad
A recent scientific study has shown that light laughter exercises may help improve breathing and alleviate some symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting their potential use as a simple supportive measure alongside standard treatments.
The New York Post reported that the study, conducted by researchers at the Faculty of Nursing at Hacettepe University in Turkey, involved 63 COPD patients at Bilkent City Hospital in Ankara. Participants were divided into three groups: the first underwent pursed-lip breathing exercises, the second attended laughter therapy sessions, and the third received no intervention. The training sessions lasted 30 minutes, three times a week, for eight weeks.
The laughter therapy sessions included a variety of exercises, such as rhythmic clapping, making joyful sounds, and imitating different noises like a motorcycle engine and a lion’s roar, along with meditation and relaxation exercises based on laughter, smiling, and calm breathing.
The results showed that participants who underwent laughter exercises or breathing exercises reported improved breathing capacity. Some benefits persisted for a month after the program ended, alongside improvements in certain general health indicators.
Researchers explained that laughter may help activate respiratory muscles and enhance exhalation, while also contributing to stress reduction and improved psychological well-being—factors that may be particularly important for individuals with chronic respiratory diseases.
The researchers noted that the mechanisms through which laughter therapy may improve the condition of COPD patients remain not fully understood, emphasizing the need for additional, broader studies to evaluate its effectiveness.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic respiratory condition that leads to narrowed airways, difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing, with symptoms gradually worsening over time.
