{
  "id": 6102458,
  "title": "Laughter therapy may help people with chronic lung disease",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/laughter-therapy-may-help-people-with-chronic-lung-disease",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-07T04:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Scientist",
    "slug": "new-scientist",
    "url": "https://www.newscientist.com/article/2587748-laughter-therapy-may-help-people-with-chronic-lung-disease/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A small trial suggests that laughter therapy can improve breathing for people with chronic lung disease, such as COPD. The study showed that after eight weeks, participants in the laughter therapy group and the pursed-lip breathing group experienced reduced breathing difficulties and improved overall health compared to those in a control group. These benefits persisted even a month after the trial ended.\n\nLaughter therapy is a structured program involving playful exercises, rhythmic clapping, and gentle breathing techniques. It may help exercise the breathing muscles, promote deeper exhalation, improve lymphatic flow, and release endorphins while lowering stress hormones. However, laughter therapy does not reduce the need for caregiver assistance.\n\nWhile more research is needed to fully understand how laughter therapy works, it could potentially provide a safe and enjoyable way to alleviate anxiety and support emotional well-being. It is essential to note that laughter therapy differs from unguided or intense laughter, which can lead to adverse effects like acute airway collapse or exertion.",
  "summary": "An eight-week course of self-administered laughter therapy helped a small number of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease breathe more easily",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}