Laughter therapy shows big gains in anxiety and life satisfaction

A meta-analysis of 33 randomized trials suggests laughter therapy can reduce anxiety and boost life satisfaction in adults.

Laughter Therapy Shows Big Gains in Anxiety and Life Satisfaction

A new meta-analysis from the University of Jaén reviews 33 randomized trials conducted between 1991 and 2024, totaling 2,159 adults (about 74 percent women). The study, published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, reports large effects for anxiety management and life satisfaction when laughter therapy is used. Across trials, the standardized mean differences indicate a large effect on anxiety (SMD minus 0.83) and a large effect on life satisfaction (SMD 0.98). Subgroup results point to stronger gains with laughter yoga (anxiety SMD minus 1.02; life satisfaction 1.28), while online laughter therapy shows almost no benefit for anxiety.

The authors note high heterogeneity among trials and differences in control groups, which means results should be read with caution. They call for more careful, well designed studies to confirm benefits and to guide how laughter therapies are used in clinics and community settings.

The findings suggest that social interaction could be a key driver of the benefits. Laughter yoga, with its structured group setting, may amplify connection alongside humor, while online formats lack that immediacy and could explain the weaker results. These patterns imply that the value of laughter therapy may hinge on human contact as much as the act of laughing itself. Yet the mix of study designs and outcome measures creates uncertainty, highlighting the need for standardized protocols and transparent reporting in future trials.

If laughter therapies are to move from curiosity to care option, researchers must address heterogeneity, ensure diverse populations are included, and clarify which outcomes matter most in everyday settings. Clinicians, funders, and policymakers should look for rigorous trials that identify who benefits, how much, and under what conditions a program should be delivered.

Highlights

Laughter therapy offers a promising path, but solid proof will come only with careful, ongoing testing.