Laughter can improve wellbeing in elderly people, La Trobe University researchers find

CAN laughter yoga be the secret to improving health and wellbeing in elderly people? La Trobe University researchers decided to find out.

John Gilmour at Japrar Central Park aged care in Windsor taking part in a laughter yoga session. Picture: Eugene Hyland

LAUGHTER really could be the best medicine, albeit a complementary one.

Combine it with yoga, minus the downward dogs and activewear, and it appears it not only can improve your mood, it also has the potential to lower blood pressure.

La Trobe University researchers set out to assess the effects of laughter yoga, a group therapy combining deep breathing, clapping and chuckling, on 28 people living in aged-care homes.

Japrar Central Park aged care resident Nell Hunter takes part in a laughing session. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Lead author Julie Ellis said this group of people were at a higher risk of depression and anxiety.

“A growing body of evidence indicates the health benefits of laughter,” she wrote in theAustralasian Journal of Ageing.

“These include reducing stress, blood pressure and stress hormones; increasing muscle flexion and triggering the release of endorphins — the body’s natural painkilling chemicals that produce a general sense of wellbeing.”

Florence Lear takes part in a laughing session. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Almost 30 residents aged 61-96 from three homes across Victoria had their moods, level of happiness and pulse and blood pressure measured at the beginning and end of each session.

They found improvements in participants’ health and emotional wellbeing and a drop in blood pressure.

Although laughter is not going to replace the need for medication and treatment for depression and high blood pressure, it may be one way to boost physical, social and emotional health.

“Based on our findings, there is good reason to run regular sessions in aged care facilities,” she said.

Dorothy Kruppe during a session. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Yoga Laughter instructor and co-author Ros Ben-Moshe has seen the transformation in participants.

“Laughter is contagious and even in residents with dementia we noticed an increase in social engagement and laughter,” she said.

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