THE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF LAUGHTER YOGA ON THE INCREASE IN POSTPRANDIAL BLOOD GLUCOSE IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS
This study looked at the effect of a 30-minute laughter session on blood glucose level after eating a meal (postprandial). The 211 participants with type 2 diabetes were divided into two groups. Both had their blood glucose level measured on arrival and then ate the same meal. Both groups then sat for a 90-minute lecture, but one group then participated in a 30 minute laughter yoga session. Blood glucose was then measure in both groups after 120 minutes.
The 30-minute laughter yoga session reduced the blood glucose level of this group by 16% (9.75 to 8.19 mmol/L) compared to the level at arrival while the control group, that did not do the laughter yoga workout, experienced an increase in blood glucose of 20% (8.35 to 10.04 mmol/L) This result could be due to the physical exercise represented by laughter, the reduction of stress caused by laughter, or other factors, but in any case, the difference is significant.
As the authors state: “Our study elucidated the inhibitory effect of laughter yoga on the increase in postprandial blood glucose and suggested the importance of daily opportunities for laughter in patients with diabetes. The results obtained indicated that in the future, laughter therapy could be used as a new nonpharmacological approach for improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.” The authors recommend in particular the use of Laughter Yoga rather than using humorous media, because the laughter yoga is a more active approach with greater physical impact.
Members of the laughter yoga group were also presented with a questionnaire rating their level of enthusiasm, positive attitude, better breathing, energy level, mood, ability to laugh for no reason, optimism, stress level, physical and mental relaxation before and after the laughter yoga session. Improvements were experienced in all categories. “In particular,”, state the authors “the feeling of stress decreased substantially after laughter yoga”. Stress is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and this is significant for people with diabetes who already have a higher risk for cardiovascular events.
You can download a PDF copy of this scientific paper here: The_inhibitory_effect_of_laughter_yoga_on_the_increase_in_postprandial_blood_glucose_in_type_2_diabetic_patients
An article from Medscape:
Does Laughter Offer Better Blood Glucose Control?
