Laughing could help people with chronic lung conditions manage their symptoms.
While a link between laughing and mental health benefits has been well established, there is a lack of research into how it could improve the lives of those with physical health conditions. Researchers at King's College London are addressing this gap in understanding.
Scientists believe that the respiratory effects of laughter have potential as a low-cost, scalable intervention which could be offered outside of hospitals and within communities.
One condition that could benefit from laughing is bronchiectasis, a chronic lung disease which impacts around 1 in every 200 people in the UK, impacting the airway's ability to clear phlegm.
Current treatment for this condition involves antibiotics and clearing the phlegm through breathing exercises or using devices which send vibrations into the airways (tubes that transfer the air to our lungs). Laughing - whether spontaneously in response to a joke or intentional during sessions like laughter yoga - mimics these vibrations and exercises without the need for devices. It can also become a group intervention that promotes connection with others and improve quality of life.
Lead researcher Dr Arietta Spinou, Senior Lecturer in Respiratory Physiotherapy, King's College London, said: "Many people with lung conditions already know that laughing can trigger coughing, which helps to get rid of mucus in the airways. Clearing this mucus is important as it can build up and lead to infections. I wanted to understand the physiological mechanism behind the link between laughing, coughing and airway clearance.
"While research has investigated the reasons why we laugh, including to build social connections, there are few studies into the physiological effects of laughter in our respiratory system. A recent search we conducted, indicated that laughter could benefit some aspects of our cardiovascular health - by mimicking the body's response to light exercise. I wanted to extend this to lung health specifically and our laboratory results in healthy adults are so far promising."
Having already completed a review on the benefit of laughter for lung conditions, Dr Spinou is now leading a development and feasibility study involving patients, funded by Asthma+Lung UK. People with bronchiectasis take part in a six-week programme with 60-minute weekly sessions of laughter yoga and education twice a week. The sessions involve laughter exercises to force a laughter (called laughter yoga) and often involves real laugh (spontaneous).
The team will then work with the participants to establish what parts of the new intervention are feasible and incorporate patient feedback into a potential scaled up model of the programme that will assess effectiveness and specific benefits.
Dr Spinou also hosted a taster session for laughter yoga open to the public today at the Science Gallery London, where she also discussed the benefits of laughing for physical health. This was funded by the King's Public Engagement Small Grant Scheme.
The yoga was a great session, really enjoyable and innovative. It's really important that therapies are enjoyable as then you stick to them. Doing something in a group is also very engaging. Yoga breathing has helped me in the past, as I've spent a lot of my life struggling with congestion. I heard about the laughter workshops through my work as a physiotherapist and I'm so glad I tried it. My lungs feel like they've had a great session too.
Melissa, who joined one of the laughter yoga sessions, and has a chronic lung condition
Dr Laura Wilde, research associate at King's College London, said: "This is an excellent option for community-based support, both building social connections, which we know benefits wellbeing, and potentially for lung health too. We know there is a push with the NHS to move into social prescribing, taking care outside of the hospital and into the community.
"Laughter yoga offers real potential for those living with lung conditions, curious about trying something different."
Dr Spinou added: "We are excited for the opportunity to develop our respiratory research work into a robust portfolio of studies that will help us understand and potentially use laughter for the benefit of patients. If our first steps are proven successful, we aim to provide a strong scientific design for a trial that can give clear answers to people who have bronchiectasis and other chronic lung conditions."
