Khaberni - Britain has launched the first clinical study aimed at assessing the potential benefits of laughter in the treatment of bronchiectasis.
The Royal College of London has begun assessing the potential benefits of laughter in the treatment of bronchiectasis, a chronic lung disease that hinders the removal of mucus secretions from the respiratory tract and affects about one in every 200 people in the country.
The traditional treatment for the disease relies on antibiotics and phlegm removal techniques using breathing exercises or devices that generate vibrations in the respiratory tract. Researchers believe that laughter, whether spontaneous or induced by "laughter yoga" sessions, may provide a similar effect by creating vibrations that help move secretions without the need for special tools.
Dr. Arieta Spino, the lead researcher in the study at the Department of Respiratory Physiotherapy at the Royal College of London, said that many lung patients realize that laughter can stimulate coughing, which helps clear the respiratory tract of mucus and reduce the risk of infections associated with its buildup.
She added that the research team is seeking to understand the physiological mechanisms that link laughter and coughing and the cleansing of the respiratory tract, pointing out that the initial results obtained from laboratory experiments on healthy adults appear promising.
Researchers had conducted scientific reviews on the impact of laughter on lung diseases and some cardiovascular indicators before launching the new clinical study targeted at individuals with bronchiectasis, estimated to number more than 210,000 people in Britain.
The team indicated that if the results prove effective, they will move to an extended clinical trial. The project is supported and financed by the organization «Asthma + Lung UK» (Asthma + Lung UK).
Despite the known benefits of laughter on mental health, studies related to its direct impact on physical diseases are limited, making this study the first of its kind in this field.
