Psychological, immunological and physiological effects of a Laughing Qigong Program (LQP) on adolescents
Journal
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Journal Volume
21
Journal Issue
6
Pages
660-668
Date Issued
2013
Abstract
Objectives: One objective of this study was to assess the effects of laughter on the psychological, immunological and physiological systems of the body. Another objective was to introduce the Laughing Qigong Program (LQP), as a method of standardization for simulated laughter interventions. Design: A randomized, prospective, experimental study of the LQP was conducted in a group of adolescents (n=67) in Taiwan. During study-hall sessions, experimental subjects (n=34) attended the LQP for eight-weeks. Simultaneously, control subjects (n=33) read or did their homework. All subjects were tested before and after the intervention on the following: Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (RSE), Chinese Humor Scale (CHS) and Face Scale (FS) as psychological markers; saliva cortisol (CS) as an immunological marker; blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV) as physiological markers of the body's response to stress. Mood states (FS) were measured before/after each LQP session. Results: Mood states (p=.00) and humor (p=.004; p=.003) improved in the experimental group; no significant changes were found in the controls (p=69; p=60). The immunological marker of stress, cortisol levels, decreased significantly for those who participated in the LQP (p=.001), suggesting lower levels of stress after completion of the program. Conclusions: The LQP is a non-pharmacological and cost-effective means to help adolescents mitigate stresses in their everyday life. ? 2013 The Authors.
Subjects
Adolescent health; Coping; Humor; Laughter; Mood states; Qigong; Stress
SDGs
Other Subjects
hydrocortisone; adolescent; alternative medicine; article; blood pressure measurement; Chinese Humor Scale; controlled study; diastolic blood pressure; experimental study; Face Scale; female; health program; heart rate variability; human; human experiment; immunological stress; Laughing Qigong Program; male; mental stress; physiological stress; prospective study; randomized controlled trial; rating scale; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; saliva level; stress; systolic blood pressure; Taiwan; Adolescent health; Coping; Humor; Laughter; Mood states; Qigong; Stress; Adolescent; Affect; Biological Markers; Blood Pressure; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Laughter; Laughter Therapy; Male; Prospective Studies; Psychological Tests; Qigong; Stress, Psychological
Type
journal article