Laughter Yoga for Lung Cancer

KARADAĞ E., YAŞA Y.

Laughter Yoga as a Nursing Intervention, NOVA Publications , ss.219-229, 2026

  • Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Araştırma Kitabı
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Yayınevi: NOVA Publications
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.219-229
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: complementary therapy, laughter yoga, lung cancer, oncology nursing
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Lung cancer is a type of cancer often diagnosed in its later stages, as symptoms typically become noticeable during advanced phases. Consequently, when patients receive a diagnosis, they face a significant burden of both physical and psychological symptoms. Alongside conventional medical treatments, many patients turn to complementary therapies to cope with this heavy burden. Research has shown that a large proportion of cancer patients prefer these alternative methods. Laughter yoga is one such method. In this context, laughter yoga, which combines voluntary laughter, breathing exercises, and light physical activities, aims to create positive effects on both physical and mental health. A series of studies have demonstrated that laughter yoga has beneficial physical and psychological effects on patients with lung diseases and cancer. One study found that 56.5% of lung cancer patients use complementary therapies, with 82% preferring laughter. Despite this, the number of studies evaluating the outcomes of laughter yoga specifically for lung cancer patients remains limited. The existing studies indicate that laughter yoga is an effective method that can positively influence perceived stress, psychological resources, exercise capacity, and overall quality of life. In conclusion, when considered as a complementary therapy for lung cancer patients, laughter yoga can be seen as a valuable tool that supports patients’ physical and psychological well-being, thereby contributing to an improved quality of life. Further large-scale research in this area could clarify the role of laughter yoga in lung cancer treatment, potentially facilitating its integration into clinical practice.