Could a good laugh boost mental health in the elderly?
NCT ID NCT06722872
First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study investigates whether structured laughter therapy—using simulated laughter and breathing exercises—can improve psychological well-being, life satisfaction, and mental health in people over 65 living in a nursing home. Participants are randomly assigned to receive laughter therapy sessions or standard care. The study measures changes in well-being, life satisfaction, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- laughter therapy
- What this could lead to
- If effective, laughter therapy could offer a simple, drug-free way to improve mood and life satisfaction in older adults living in nursing homes.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with 69 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The therapy is non-invasive, but benefits may be modest or short-lived.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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69 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2024
- Finished
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Jun 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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65 to 105 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Being over the age of 65 * Scoring ≥ 18 points on the Mini-Mental Examination * Having the ability to communicate * Not having participated in a laughter therapy session before Exclusion Criteria: * Having severe hearing or perception impairment that hinders communication * Having a physical or psychological condition that prevents participation in therapy * Having moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease, uncontrolled hypertension, epilepsy, abdominal surgery within the past 3 months, or a surgical procedure with a risk of bleeding * Choosing not to continue participating in the study
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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KASEV Huzurevi
Istanbul, Tuzla, 34948, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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