Laughter Therapy Shows Promise for COPD Symptom Management

A small clinical trial investigated whether a simple, low-cost intervention—laughter therapy—could ease breathing difficulties in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Conducted at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital in Turkey, the eight-week program required participants to attend 30-minute laughter sessions three times per week. The study compared this approach with standard pursed-lip breathing exercises and with a control group that received no specialized training.

The Independent

The trial enrolled 63 diagnosed COPD patients. One-third (approximately 21 participants) performed laughter therapy, another third practiced pursed-lip breathing, and the remaining third received no intervention. Both active groups showed measurable improvements in respiratory function relative to the control group, and the benefits persisted for at least a month after the programme ended. In the United Kingdom, an estimated 1.7 million people live with COPD, of whom roughly 600,000 remain undiagnosed.

The Independent

Dr Goncagul Aldan, lecturer and nurse at Hacettepe University Faculty of Nursing in Ankara, emphasized that COPD management requires more than medication, noting the disease’s impact on daily activities and quality of life. He described laughter therapy as a “simple, low-cost” technique that could complement existing care and highlighted its potential to engage breathing muscles, promote deeper exhalation, and trigger endorphin release. Emma Rubach, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, called the study “exciting,” suggesting that laughter therapy offers an effective, accessible way for patients to control breathlessness.

The Independent

• “People with COPD often feel breathless, even during simple daily activities. This reduces their quality of life and makes them increasingly dependent on others for care.” — Hacettepe University Faculty, of Nursing in Ankara

The Independent

• “Laughter therapy aims to evoke the effects of genuine laughter in the body. However, the mechanisms behind laughter therapy in COPD remain poorly understood, and more comprehensive research is needed.” — Dr Aldan, a lecturer and nurse at Hacettepe University Faculty of Nursing in Ankara

The Independent

• “This exciting study shows that laughter therapy is an effective way to control breathlessness for people with COPD.” — Barcelona. Emma Rubach, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK

The Independent

The trial’s results are slated for presentation at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Barcelona. Researchers acknowledge that the mechanisms behind laughter’s effect on COPD remain poorly understood and call for larger, more comprehensive studies to confirm these initial findings.

The Independent