Effect of laughter yoga on salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone among healthy university students: A randomized controlled trial

Akiko Fujisawa, Atsuhiko Ota, Masaaki Matsunaga, Yuanying Li, Masako Kakizaki, Hisao Naito, Hiroshi Yatsuya

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether laughter yoga (LY), i.e., simulated laughter, alters cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels and cortisol/DHEA (C/D) ratios. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 120 healthy university students were allocated to experiencing LY, watching a comedy movie (spontaneous laughter), or reading a book. Salivary cortisol and DHEA levels were measured immediately before, immediately after, and 30 min after the intervention. Results: Cortisol levels and C/D ratios significantly decreased by time in the LY and comedy movie groups. Significant group*time interactions were found between these two groups for cortisol levels and C/D ratios. DHEA levels did not change by time in the LY group. Conclusions: LY decreased cortisol levels and C/D ratios but did not affect DHEA levels. Simulated and spontaneous laughter differently affected the dynamics of cortisol levels and C/D ratios. Effect of spontaneous laughter on the cortisol dynamics lasted longer than that of simulated laughter. (UMIN000019409).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6-11
Number of pages6
JournalComplementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
Volume32
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 08-2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Complementary and alternative medicine

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