Is laughter a form of therapeutic medicine?

4 1 minute read

Laughter therapy has been shown to have significant benefits for adults, with University of Jaén researchers reporting on the positive effects of this form of therapy in a recent study. The study, titled “The Role of Laughter Therapy in Adults: Life Satisfaction and Anxiety Control. A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis,” was published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.

The researchers conducted a systematic review of 33 randomized clinical trials involving 2,159 adult participants across various settings. The results of the meta-analysis showed significant reductions in anxiety (SMD = -0.83) and increased life satisfaction (SMD = 0.98) among participants who underwent laughter therapy.

Subgroup analyses revealed that laughter yoga had even more pronounced effects on anxiety (SMD = -1.02) and life satisfaction (SMD = 1.28), indicating the potential benefits of this specific form of therapy. The study also compared the effects of laughter therapy with different control groups, showing larger effects on anxiety and life satisfaction compared to no intervention or usual care.

Interestingly, online laughter therapy showed minimal effects on anxiety, suggesting that the social interaction component of in-person therapy may be an important factor in its effectiveness. The authors of the study concluded that laughter therapy could be a valuable tool for reducing anxiety levels and improving life satisfaction in adults.

Overall, this research highlights the potential of laughter therapy as a form of complementary medicine for promoting psychological well-being. Further randomized controlled trials are recommended to strengthen the evidence supporting the use of laughter therapy in clinical settings.

This article was written by Justin Jackson, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked by Robert Egan. It is a result of careful human work and relies on reader support to keep independent science journalism alive. If you value this reporting, please consider making a donation to support independent science journalism.

For more information, you can refer to the original 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 in 2025.

4 1 minute read