Laughter yoga studies in children suggest possible benefits, with substantial uncertainty
A small review describes possible improvements in anxiety, emotional well-being, memory and movement skills, but study differences make the findings difficult to combine.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found preliminary signals that laughter yoga may help some mental health, emotional and cognitive outcomes in children and adolescents. However, the studies differed substantially in design, activities and outcome measures. The abstract does not establish the size or consistency of benefit, or show that the findings apply equally across children with different needs.
This abstract-based account provides no effect sizes, comparison-group details or intervention durations. The authors describe a small, varied evidence base and explicitly caution that the findings remain preliminary.
What outcomes were reported
Reported signals included lower separation and generalized anxiety in school-aged children, and lower anxiety among children described as having high-functioning autism. Other reported possibilities included less loneliness and hopelessness, better verbal working memory and improved gross motor skills.
Why pooling was avoided
The reviewers summarized the studies in words because their methods and outcomes varied. That approach describes patterns across the literature, but it does not provide a single pooled estimate of how much laughter yoga helps.
The original publication
The effect of laughter yoga on mental health, emotional, and cognitive functions of children: A systematic review.
Jalilian M, Tabei M
Acta Psychol (Amst) · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41759444
- Record checked
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