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A small clinical trial found that "laughter therapy" — structured, deliberate laughter combined with breathing exercises — is just as effective as pursed-lip breathing for easing breathlessness in COPD patients. The 63-patient study, presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress, showed meaningful improvements in dyspnea scores after 8 and 12 weeks. Best of all, it's free, requires no equipment, and could be easily added to existing care routines.
Could a good laugh be just what the doctor ordered for COPD? A new randomized clinical trial presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona found that structured "laughter therapy" — adapted from the Laughter Yoga framework — is just as effective as pursed-lip breathing at reducing breathlessness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Sixty-three patients practiced their assigned technique for 30 minutes, three times a week over 12 weeks, with results holding strong at both the 8- and 12-week marks.
The therapy works by engaging the diaphragm and abdominal muscles through forced exhalations, mimicking the mechanics of pursed-lip breathing. It may also trigger endorphin release, helping break the anxiety-breathlessness cycle that many COPD patients experience. Experts note that breathing exercises in general remain underutilized in COPD care, despite strong evidence supporting pulmonary rehabilitation.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: This zero-cost, equipment-free intervention could be easily integrated into telehealth programs or routine clinical care — offering COPD patients a more engaging, accessible way to manage their symptoms alongside standard pulmonary rehabilitation.
