SCU research highlights health benefits of laughter yoga for kids

In classrooms and pediatric settings alike, stress and anxiety among children are rising. What if something as simple and scientifically measurable as laughter could help?

New research led by Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Postdoctoral Fellow Özüm Erkin, PhD, MSc, suggests it can, in the form of laughter yoga, a structured mind–body practice that combines intentional laughter with breathing and gentle movement to improve well-being.

Although the name might suggest something lighthearted or informal, laughter yoga follows a deliberate therapeutic framework. “Laughter yoga is not simply spontaneous laughter or humor-based activity,” Erkin explained. “It is a structured mind–body practice that integrates intentional laughter with yogic breathing, gentle movement, rhythm and group interaction.”

While it does not include traditional yoga postures, it incorporates breath regulation and nervous system awareness — key components of integrative health.

Erkin co-authored a systematic review analyzing six experimental studies involving 305 school-aged children across educational and clinical settings. Across randomized controlled trials, laughter yoga showed statistically significant reductions in children’s stress, general anxiety and test anxiety.

“What stood out most was the consistency of beneficial outcomes across disciplines and settings,” Erkin says. “Whether implemented in schools, pediatric clinical contexts, or community environments, laughter yoga demonstrated comparable reductions in stress and anxiety.”

The review also found improvements in physical indicators, including reduced pain, reduced fatigue and increased salivary IgA (an immune-related marker).

Physiologically, intentional laughter activates diaphragmatic breathing, enhances oxygenation, stimulates endorphin release and supports immune modulation.

For more information, visit scuhs.edu.

About Southern California University of Health Sciences

Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is one of the world’s only integrative, whole health universities — preparing students to blend the best of conventional medicine with proven complementary approaches, and to treat the whole person (body, mind and spirit). Founded in 1911 as one of the nation’s very first chiropractic colleges, SCU has been challenging convention and pushing healthcare forward since the very beginning. Today, the institution offers graduate, undergraduate and certificate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including Chiropractic, Sports Medicine, Physical/Occupational Therapy, Genetic Counseling, Genetics and Genomics, Medical Science, Physician Assistant, Ayurveda, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, Whole Health Leadership and beyond. Learn more at scuhs.edu.