The Psychobiological Effects of Laughter Yoga: An Intervention Study

NCT07314463 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 24112002
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Laughter Yoga-Based Mental Health Enhancement Training, applied to mothers of children with special needs, on the burden of care, positive mental health, perceived stress, and salivary cortisol levels.

Conditions

Caregiver; Education

Keywords

Laughter Yoga; Strengthening Mental Health; Caregiver Burden; Positive Mental Health; Stress

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Zarit Caregiving Burden Scale

  It is used to assess the emotional, social, and physical burden an individual experiences as a result of their caregiver role.

  8 weeks after the initial assessment

• Positive Mental Health Scale

  It is used to define and assess positive mental health.

  8 weeks after the initial assessment

• Perceived Stress Scale

  It is used to determine the extent to which individuals perceive certain events in their lives as stressful.

  8 weeks after the initial assessment

• Salivary cortisol levels

  There will be a relationship between laughter yoga-based mental health strengthening training and mothers' salivary cortisol levels.

  Every week for 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Experimental: Strengthening mental health

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention group was divided into two subgroups, each consisting of ten participants. Based on participants' availability, the first group's sessions were scheduled for Tuesdays and the second group's sessions for Thursdays. The reason for dividing The intervention group was divided because the mothers were only available on specific days. This arrangement aimed to ensure more effective participation in the training process and enhance group interaction for more efficient implementation of the training. The same interaction-based intervention was implemented in both intervention subgroups with identical content and formats.

Behavioral: Laughter Yoga-Based Mental Health Strengthening Training

No İntervention

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group were asked to complete a Personal Information Form, the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, the Positive Mental Health Scale, and the Perceived Stress Level Scale. Participants in the control group received no intervention. Cortisol saliva samples were collected from participants in the control group simultaneously with the experimental group. Posttests were taken from participants in the control group after the intervention sessions.

Interventions

Laughter Yoga-Based Mental Health Strengthening Training BEHAVIORAL

This laughter yoga-based training program is distinct from traditional practices because of its structured psychoeducational content. In addition to laughter exercises, it aims to enhance participants' self-awareness, stress management, and communication skills through informative and reflective sessions. Each session began with cognitive and emotional awareness-building activities, followed by physical laughter practices, promoting mind-body integration. Thus, the program offers multidimensional benefits, including emotional relief, cognitive development, social skill enhancement, and strengthening internal coping resources.

Experimental: Strengthening mental health

Eligibility Criteria

• Gender Eligibility Details: Women were chosen as biological mothers
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Being the primary caregiver of the child
• Having a score of 21 or higher on the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale
• Understanding and speaking Turkish at a level sufficient to complete data collection forms and participate in sessions

You may not qualify if:

• Having participated in a similar program within the last 6 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Selcuk University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Directorate of National Education

Konya, Selcuklu, 42130, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Caregiver Burden

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Arzu K UYAROĞLU, Associate Professor

  Selcuk University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Özlem ERDEM, MSC

  Selcuk University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD

Model Details: Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 6, 2025
• First Posted: January 2, 2026
• Study Start: December 3, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 23, 2025
• Study Completion: January 23, 2025
• Last Updated: January 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

TU (1)