title: Laughter Yoga, Adults Living With Parkinson׳s Disease, and Caregivers: A Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explored outcomes of Laughter Yoga in adults with Parkinson׳s disease (PD) and their caregivers. Laughter has been shown to generally improve mood in physically healthy adults, and specifically in adults with heart disease or cancer, but little research exists regarding the impact of laughter in adults with Parkinson׳s disease. Low mood is frequently a co-morbid condition for adults with Parkinson׳s disease, and can negatively affect their caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre-experimental (O1 × O2) pretest-posttest design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collection occurred at six unique PD support groups in Southern California.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N = 85) comprised a convenience sample of adults diagnosed with Parkinson׳s disease (n = 47) and accompanying caregivers (n = 38).
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects participated in a 45-min Laughter Yoga (LY) session conducted by a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study utilized the Laughter Yoga "How Do You Feel?" (HDYF) form. The form consists of a series of 10 scales labeled "well-being" measures including enthusiasm, energy level, mood, optimism, stress level, level of friendship with group members, level of awareness about breathing, level of muscle relaxation, level of mental relaxation, and ability to laugh without a reason.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paired sample t-tests reveal statistically significant improvements in well-being for adults with PD and their caregivers after attending an LY session. Therapists and other clinicians should consider utilizing this unique technique with adults with PD to address co-morbid low-mood conditions and include caregivers in the LY sessions for support and their own benefit.
authors.affiliation: California State University, Northridge, Department of Social Work, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330.
authors.forename: Debra Swedberg
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: DeCaro
authors.affiliation: California State University, Northridge, Department of Social Work, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330. Electronic address: Jodi.Brown@csun.edu.
authors.forename: Jodi L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Constantine Brown
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety; D017028:Caregivers; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007845:Laughter; D027641:Laughter Therapy; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009126:Muscle Relaxation; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012119:Respiration; D015013:Yoga
keywords: Laughter yoga; Parkinson׳s disease; caregivers; well-being