So far all the scientific research conducted for the past 25 years was by using humor models.  The researchers induced laughter by showing some humorous videos or some kind of mental process which lead to laughter and then physiological and biochemical  changes were measured.

People always questioned the efficacy of laughter yoga exercises as they were self-induced and not the outcome of any humorous interaction.  My experience with laughter clubs world wide taught me that people were definitely deriving health benefits from laughter yoga exercises.  There was no scientific proof I could offer them to satisfy the logical minded people especially in the west.  I had no problems in India as more than 100,000 people laughed every morning without asking me for any proof but when I came to the west, everybody asked, do you have the data?

Finally, in 2003-04 the first authentic research was completed by Dr. Ilona Papousek from the University of Grax in early fall  2004.

According to the news release by Ananave –March 2004, a new study showed that laughter really is the best therapy for stroke patients, according to scientists.  The research, conducted at Graz University in Austria, showed that laughter therapy helped people recovering from strokes lower their blood pressure.

Thirty patients in the study were split up into two groups. One group took part in regular “Laughter Yoga” sessions over a six-week period, while the other practiced movement exercises only.  This laughter therapy combines laughing techniques with breathing exercises and patients involved in the test took part in the three half-hour weekly sessions.  Psychologist Ilona Papousek, who headed the research, said, “This is the first study that shows that laughter has an effect on blood pressure.  Blood pressure levels remained roughly the same in the movement group be dropped significantly in the laughter group.  Physical exercises were similar in both groups meaning we can ascribe the positive effects to the laughter training.  The mood improved in both groups but more noticeably so in the laughter group.  Participants also said they felt ‘more awake’ and ‘less stressed’.  Papousek added: “ The feeling of happiness caused by the laughing, the distraction and improvements to the person’s mood in the long run can help improve the quality of life for patients as well as healthy individuals.”

The research being done by Dr. Ilona Papoousek is not yet published but we hope it might get published very soon and we will make the results available to our readers through the website.
Laughter Yoga Studies in Denmark

A study was conducted at  a computer company where Mr. Thomas Flindt lead a session of laughter yoga in the beginning of the day throughout the month of May 2004.  The study was made using an AIR-PAS (Artificial Intelligence Respiratory Psychofysiological analysis System), developed by Mr. Bo von Scheele Phd, the Psychofysiological institute at Karolinska Institute Stockholm, Sweden and conducted by Mr. Anders Lonedal.

The test group of 4 persons were randomly selected.  The group was tested with the AIR-PAS at the start of the project and consequently at the end of the same project.

The project shows clearly the effect that a regular practice of laughter yoga has on the stress levels.  On an individual level the results are remarkable.  The body stress levels are significantly reduced. The AIR-PAS test contributes also as an awareness raiser i.e. the individual becomes aware on how the body and mind interacts.  The importance of a correct breathing behavior is also highlighted.

During a laughter session breathing exercises are frequently used and the laughter itself has a positive influence on the movement of the diaphragm as well as the levels of stress hormones in the body.  The laughter brings us back to the now.  Since the results at group level (the group is only 4 people! But ALL 4 people had a reduced stress level thanks to the project), and even more so on an individual level indicating good and even remarkable results.  The investigation will continue. 

Important to state is also the participants subjective analyses of the project and the general feeling of well being that will remain in the company for a long time.  The results from this project confirms a study carried out on 10 laughter yoga instructors in April 2004.

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