The Effect of Laughter Yoga on Stress, Burnout, and General Health in Psychiatric Nurses

NCT07015372 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2023_Dost_LaughterYoga
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine the effects of laughter yoga on general health, perceived stress, and burnout among psychiatric nurses. Nurses working in psychiatric units are often exposed to high levels of occupational stress, which may impact their well-being and job performance. This trial was designed to evaluate the potential benefits of laughter yoga as a supportive intervention in this context.

Conditions

Burnout; Perceived Stress; Occupational Stress; General Health; Psychiatric Nursing

Keywords

Laughter Yoga; Maslach Burnout Inventory; PSS-10; GHQ-28; Psychiatric Nurses; Nursing Interventions; Mental Health Promotion; Complementary Therapies; Burnout Prevention; Stress Reduction; Workplace Wellness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) Total Score

  The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is used to assess burnout levels among psychiatric nurses. Scores range from low to high burnout. A decrease in score indicates reduced burnout. The scale has three subscales: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment.

  Baseline and after 4 weeks (post-intervention)

• Change in Perceived Stress Level (PSS-10 Total Score)

  Perceived stress is measured using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Total scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress. A decrease in score reflects improvement.

  Baseline and Week 4 (post-intervention)

• Change in General Health Status (GHQ-28 Total Score)

  General health is evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), which includes somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression subscales. Total scores range from 0 to 28, with lower scores indicating better general health status.

  Baseline and Week 4 (post-intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Experimental: Laughter Yoga

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received a structured laughter yoga program consisting of 8 sessions over approximately four weeks. Each session lasted about 30 minutes and included clapping, breathing exercises, playful activities, and laughter exercises. Sessions were delivered face-to-face in small groups.

Behavioral: Laughter Yoga

Control: No Intervention

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group did not receive any intervention during the study period. They continued their usual routines and duties. The same pre- and post-test assessments were applied as in the experimental group.

Interventions

Laughter Yoga BEHAVIORAL

Laughter yoga intervention including clapping, breathing, childlike play, and laughter exercises, delivered in 8 sessions over 4 weeks to reduce stress and burnout and improve general health among psychiatric nurses.

Experimental: Laughter Yoga

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Being a psychiatric nurse at the specified hospital
• Volunteering to participate
• Not receiving psychiatric treatment currently

You may not qualify if:

• Chronic physical illnesses that could interfere
• Inability to attend all sessions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bezmialem Vakif University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Erenköy Ruh ve Sinir Hastalıkları Hastanesi

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Burnout, Psychological; Occupational Stress

Interventions

Laughter Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Occupational Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics

Study Officials

• Ayşe V Dost

  Bezmialem Vakıf Üniversitesi

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study. No parties were masked during the intervention or outcome assessment.
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to two parallel groups: an experimental group receiving a structured laughter yoga program, and a control group receiving no intervention during the study period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 5, 2025
• First Posted: June 11, 2025
• Study Start: July 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2023
• Study Completion: September 1, 2023
• Last Updated: June 11, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)