Investigation of a Biobehavioral Intervention's Impact on Physiologic State, Perceived Stress and Affect: A Pilot Study of the Effects of Laughter Yoga
Abstract
Objectives: The intent of the study was to explore the use of the biobehavioral intervention, laughter yoga, to mitigate the physiologic and psychological effects of stress within a military graduate student population. Design: Mixed method quasi-experimental pre-test post-test wait-listed group design Settings/Location: This study occurred on the campus of a military university Subjects: Forty-one military graduate students age 23 to 52 (M=31) were randomly assigned to experimental and wait-list control groups. Intervention: Four laughter yoga sessions lasting 60 minutes each, two sessions per week for a two-week period. Outcome measures: Measures of heart rate variability, peak expiratory flow rate, Perceived Stress Scale, Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire 8, Standard Form 36, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale scores, as well as participant responses to openended questions. Results: Compared to baseline, subjects showed statistically significant decreases in measures of heart rate variability and increases in peak expiratory flow rate, positive affect, resilience and general health and mental health scores. Subjects reported improvements in mood, relationships and health behaviors in qualitative responses. Conclusions: This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that laughter yoga may improve physiologic state, psychological health and unexpected benefits in personal, social and professional relationships.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1127903
Entities
People
- Jacqueline M. Killian
Organizations
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences