Laughter yoga's effects on IBS symptoms and mental health

The Effect of Laughter Yoga in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Ataturk University · NCT06705153

This study is testing if laughter yoga can help people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome feel better and improve their mental health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment56 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorAtaturk University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Erzurum, Yakutiye)
Trial IDNCT06705153 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the impact of laughter yoga on patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) by measuring changes in symptom severity, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which will engage in laughter yoga sessions twice a week for four weeks, or a control group that will not receive this intervention. Various validated scales will be used to assess the outcomes at baseline and after the intervention period, following CONSORT guidelines for randomized controlled trials.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 diagnosed with IBS who meet specific symptom severity and mental health criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with severe psychiatric conditions or those unable to participate in laughter yoga sessions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the quality of life and mental health of patients suffering from IBS.

How similar studies have performed: While laughter yoga is a relatively novel approach for IBS, similar interventions focusing on mind-body techniques have shown promise in improving symptoms in other conditions.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with IBS according to Rome IV criteria,
* Scoring 75 and above on the IBS-SSS score,
* DASS-42 scores of 10 and above for depression, 8 and above for anxiety, 15 and above for stress,
* Over 18 years of age,
* Bleeding hemorrhoids, all types of hernia, persistent cough, severe back pain, heart diseases, high blood pressure, urinary incontinence, major psychiatric diseases, pregnancy, cold/flu, no epilepsy, no surgery in the last three months, etc.
* Patients with a smartphone/computer where it is possible to participate in a video call for laughter yoga,
* Patients without communication problems and
* Patients who agree to participate in the study will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* who do not practice laughter yoga,
* who do not attend regularly,
* Patients whose treatment regimen has changed and
* Patients who wish to leave the study will be excluded from the study.

Where this trial is running

Erzurum, Yakutiye

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Irritable Bowel SyndromeLaughter YogastressdepressionAnxietyquality of lifesymptom severitysleep quality
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.