Laughter Yoga: a positive psychology intervention : user experiences and effects on mental well-being, self-compassion and health promoting behaviors

Laughter Yoga, a simulated form of laughter gets increasing attention worldwide. However, scientifically, there is still a huge lack of evidence of LY in both theoretical and empirical grounds. The aim of the present study is to seek evidence about the effectiveness on different concepts. A quasi-experimental pre-post design with an intervention group and a non-randomized waitlist- control group (WLC) was employed.Participants (≥18 years) were assigned to the LY (N=24) or the wait-list control group (N=24). Four LY sessions, each lasting 30 minutes, were given twice a week for a duration of two weeks. Data were collected at T0 and T1 on the outcome variables (1) mental well-being (2) self-compassion and (3) health promoting behavior. Results revealed that the intervention was very positive experienced. The subscale emotional well-being (p < 0.01) did significantly increase compared in the LY group to the control group. The other concepts were not significantly improved by LY and self-compassion was not an underlying mechanism of LY.On the basis of this study it can be concluded that LY may be a suitable positive, psychological intervention enhancing hedonic well-being. Keywords: positive psychological intervention, simulated laughter, laughter yoga, mental well-being, self-compassion, health promoting behaviors, salutogenesis