The Effect of Laughter Yoga on Postprandial Blood Glucose Levels, Disease Perception, and Perceived Stress Level in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of laughter yoga on blood glucose levels, disease perception, and perceived stress levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The research is a randomized controlled trial with pretest-post-test control group. The population of the study was followed up with the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the endocrine outpatient clinics of a hospital in the western region of Turkey. The sample consisted of 100 patients (laughter yoga group = 50, control group = 50) determined by power analysis. Participants were assigned to each group through a process of simple randomization. Those in the laughter yoga group (LYG) participated in online eight laughter yoga sessions together with a diet program. The following statistical methods were used to evaluate data: percentage, mean and standard deviation, chi-square, independent-sample t test, and paired sample t test. Data collection was facilitated using a "Patient Identification Form," "The Brief Disease Perception Scale," and "The Perceived Stress Scale." Results: It was determined that the descriptive characteristics of the patients in the experimental and control groups were similar. According to the primary outcome, the postprandial blood glucose level of the patients in the LYG was (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 98.17 ± 18.71) in the pretest; it decreased to (mean ± SD: 75.15 ± 9.65) in the post-test, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001, effect size d: 1.628). While the mean blood glucose level of the patients in the control group was (mean ± SD: 102.17 ± 16.50) in the pretest, it increased to (Mean ± SD: 139.08 ± 15.65) in the post-test and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001, effect size d: 2.295). While the mean score of the Brief Disease Perception Scale post-test was (mean ± SD: 33.50 ± 4.51) points in the experimental group, it was (mean ± SD: 53.70 ± 4.15) points in the control group and the difference between them was statistically significant (p < 0.001). It was determined that the Perceived Stress Scale post-test mean score was (mean ± SD: 21.50 ± 4.54) points in the experimental group and (mean ± SD: 32.70 ± 4.15) points in the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). It was determined that the negative illness perceptions and stress levels of the patients who applied laughter yoga were significantly reduced. Conclusion: Laughter yoga was found to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels, improve disease perception, and reduce stress levels in patients with T2DM.