Laughter benefits heart health significantly

Researchers presented new findings at the European Society of Cardiology meeting showing that laughter therapy can improve some measures of heart health in people with coronary artery disease. In the study, patients took part in guided laughter sessions while researchers measured inflammation markers and cardiovascular performance before and after. The reported results included lower inflammation and improved indicators of heart function after the laughter interventions.

Non-drug or behavioural therapies for heart disease have been studied before, but laughter therapy itself has been little tested until now. The authors say these early results suggest laughter might help cardiac rehabilitation by improving circulation and oxygen delivery. Experts note limits in sample size and study design, so larger, controlled trials are needed to confirm the effects and determine safe, practical ways to use laughter in clinical care.