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Recruiting NCT07524231

Evaluation of the Effects of Laughter Yoga

No phase Interventional Multiple Sclerosis

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Laughter Yoga.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Multiple Sclerosis. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Turkey (Türkiye)
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Official title

Evaluation of the Effects of Laughter Yoga on Pain Intensity, Stress, and Beta-endorphin Levels in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Overview

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of laughter yoga on pain intensity, fatigue, and beta-endorphin levels in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Laughter yoga, a complementary therapy combining breathing exercises and laughter techniques, may help improve symptom management and psychological well-being in individuals with MS.

Detailed description

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, and demyelinating disease that generally affects the central nervous system in young adults. Multiple Sclerosis is a highly heterogeneous disease, with a wide range of clinical signs and symptoms depending on the area of the central nervous system affected, including motor, sensory, autonomic, and cognitive impairments. Multiple Sclerosis is associated with a broad spectrum of bodily dysfunctions, including motor problems such as muscle weakness, changes in muscle tone, ataxia, abnormal balance, and sensory disturbances. In addition, fatigue, pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, cognitive and emotional problems, vision problems, speech and swallowing disorders, and sexual dysfunction also affect individuals with MS. Currently, there are 2.5 million MS patients worldwide, and the cost of treatment and care for these patients is quite high.

In addition to medical treatment, traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) methods are used in the treatment of pain and fatigue. Laughter Yoga, a type of yoga that has begun to be applied as a TCM method, was developed by Indian physician Dr. Developed by Madan Kataria in 1995, each laughter yoga session consists of breathing exercises, stretching and relaxation techniques, and laughter exercises. Physiologically, laughter yoga has been reported to increase breathing, relax muscles, stimulate circulation and the immune system, increase endorphin release, thereby increasing pain threshold and tolerance, reduce fatigue, decrease stress hormone levels, strengthen mental function, reduce depression and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and enhance interpersonal relationships and social interaction, thus improving psychological well-being. This research was planned as a randomized controlled experimental study to evaluate the effects of laughter yoga applied to Multiple Sclerosis patients on pain intensity, fatigue, and Beta Endorphin levels.

Interventions

  • Behavioral Laughter Yoga
    A complementary intervention including breathing exercises, stretching, relaxation techniques, and laughter exercises applied to patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Primary outcome measures

  • Change in pain intensity measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at [time point] [Time frame: Baseline and week 4]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
  • Fatigue Level [Time frame: 1 month]
  • Change in plasma beta-endorphin levels measured by ELISA at baseline and week 4 [Time frame: Baseline and week 4]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • • Being over 18 years old
  • Being able to communicate adequately
  • Volunteering to participate in the research

Exclusion criteria

  • Unwillingness to participate in the study

Having severe cognitive impairment that prevents understanding or participation in the intervention

Having a psychiatric disorder that may affect participation in the study

Experiencing an acute MS relapse during the study period

Having another serious neurological or chronic disease that may affect the study outcomes

Regular participation in another complementary therapy program similar to laughter yoga

Communication problems that prevent participation in the intervention sessions

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single blind
Primary purpose
Supportive care

Study locations

Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
  • Gül DURAL — Elâzığ

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07524231 · 2024/15-01

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗