Effects of laughter therapy in patients with cancer: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials.
Fritzi Pilar Villalba-Ugarte, Raúl H Sandoval-Ato, Jamee Guerra Valencia et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluated the effects of laughter therapy in 1127 cancer patients. The findings suggest that laughter therapy probably leads to a significant reduction in anxiety (SMD: -0.54, 95% CI: -0.84 to -0.24) and may reduce pain and stress, although evidence for other outcomes remains uncertain.
Key findings
- Laughter therapy probably reduces anxiety with a standardized mean difference of -0.54.
- It probably results in little to no difference in quality of life (MD: -0.65).
- Laughter therapy may lead to an important reduction in pain and stress.
- Evidence regarding depressive symptoms and fatigue is very uncertain.
Why it matters
Understanding the potential benefits of non-pharmacological interventions like laughter therapy can help clinicians support cancer patients' psychological well-being and improve their overall treatment experience.
What to keep in mind
The review notes limitations related to risk of bias, heterogeneity among interventions, and imprecision due to small sample sizes.