Laughter Yoga reduces anxiety and depression in people with Parkinson's in randomized trial

A randomized controlled trial led by Xu et al. found that people with Parkinson's who participated in laughter yoga reported reductions in anxiety and depression compared with a control group; the study is poised for publication in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.

A randomized controlled trial led by Xu et al. examined laughter yoga for people with Parkinson's disease. The study focused on symptoms of anxiety and depression in this population. Laughter yoga combines voluntary laughter exercises with guided deep-breathing practices. Participants were assigned to a laughter yoga group or to a control group receiving standard care. Key findings: - The trial used a randomized controlled design led by Xu and colleagues. - Sessions combined voluntary laughter exercises with yoga-style breathing and created a group setting for participants. - Participants in the laughter yoga group reported significant reductions in anxiety and depression scores compared with the control group. - Validated scales were used to measure changes in psychological symptoms over the study period. - The study is reported as poised for publication in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. Summary: The trial reported reductions in anxiety and depression among people with Parkinson's who took part in laughter yoga compared with those receiving standard care. The study is pending publication in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, and the authors note that further research could help clarify which patients and which program features influence response; Undetermined at this time.