Laughter yoga: a surprising way to help cancer patients feel better?
NCT ID NCT06654869
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 27, 2026 · Updated 6 times
Summary
This study looked at whether laughter yoga could help cancer patients going through chemotherapy. 55 patients were split into two groups: one did weekly 40-minute laughter yoga sessions for four weeks, while the other received standard care. After four weeks, the laughter yoga group reported less severe symptoms, more hope, and greater engagement with life compared to the control group. The results suggest that this simple, non-drug activity might be a helpful addition to cancer care.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- laughter yoga
- What this could lead to
- If this approach works, it could offer a simple, drug-free way to help chemotherapy patients feel better and more hopeful.
- What could go wrong
- This was a small, short-term study (55 patients, 4 weeks) in one hospital. Results may not apply to everyone, and the long-term benefits are unknown.
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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60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2025
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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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
-
18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: (1) age ≥18, (2) pathologically confirmed cancer diagnosis, (3) be able to communicate, and (4) voluntary participation. Exclusion criteria: (1) diagnosed psychiatric disorders that may interfere with study participation or communication, (2) receiving medical treatments other than chemotherapy, (3) significant hearing or vision loss, (4) prior experience with laughter therapy, or (5) an unstable clinical condition. Discontinuation Criteria: (1) withdrawal request, (2) worsening of clinical condition, (3) change in treatment protocol.
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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
-
Atatürk Üniversitesi
Erzurum, Yakutiye, 25080, Turkey (Türkiye)
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