Laughter yoga reduced fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis in a randomized controlled trial
Photo by Clement Souchet / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Consider laughter yoga as a low-cost complementary intervention for fatigue in multiple sclerosis, pending larger validation studies.
This randomized controlled trial evaluated laughter yoga in 42 people with multiple sclerosis. The intervention group attended 12 sessions of laughter yoga, while the control group received standard care. The study setting was not reported, and funding or conflicts of interest were not reported.
Primary outcomes focused on fatigue severity. Fatigue decreased substantially in the intervention group, whereas no meaningful change was observed in the control group. The effect size for fatigue was a Cohen's d of 2.785. Secondary outcomes included sleep quality and psychological well-being. Sleep quality improved in the intervention group with a Cohen's d of 2.921 and a p-value less than 0.001. Psychological well-being increased within the intervention group, but the between-group effect at post-test was small with a Cohen's d of 0.485.
Safety data were not reported, and there were no reported adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, or specific tolerability metrics. The study authors note that studies with larger samples are needed for generalizability. This low-cost and effective complementary psycho-social intervention can be used in clinical settings within the scope of nursing practice.
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View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and impaired psychological well-being are common in individuals Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, studies on the use of laughter yoga, a non-invasive intervention method, are very limited in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of laughter yoga on fatigue, sleep quality and psychological well-being in individuals with MS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 42 people with MS were randomly assigned to intervention or control group. The intervention group received a total of 12 sessions of laughter yoga. Descriptive Information Form, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) were used to collect data.
RESULTS: Laughter yoga was associated with improvements in fatigue and sleep outcomes. Fatigue severity decreased substantially in the intervention group (Cohen's d = 2.785), with no meaningful change observed in the control group. Sleep quality improved in the intervention group, as indicated by reduced Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores (p < 0.001, d = 2.921). Psychological well-being increased within the intervention group (d = -1.505); however, the between-group effect at post-test was small (d = 0.485).
CONCLUSION: Laughter yoga showed statistically significant results in terms of decreasing fatigue level, increasing sleep quality and psychological well-being in individuals with MS. The findings suggest that laughter yoga is a low-cost and effective complementary psycho-social intervention that can be used in clinical settings within the scope of nursing practice. This intervention offers an evidence-based approach that can be integrated into nursing care to manage fatigue and sleep problems and improve psychological well-being in individuals with MS. For the generalizability of the effects of laughter yoga, studies with larger samples are needed.
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