NCT06326255

Feasibility and Acceptability of Laughter Yoga in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents

The Effects of Laughter Yoga on Reducing Depression and Anxiety in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)and Parenting Stress in Their Parents: a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 66 (estimated)
• Sponsor: LAM Chung Yan Hemio · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 8 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This is a pilot randomised controlled trial to explore the acceptability and feasibility of laughter yoga about anxiety and depression reduction in children with ASD and parenting stress reduction for their parents. Hypotheses of this study include: 1. Laughter yoga is acceptable to children with ASD and their parents. 2. Laughter yoga is feasible for anxiety and depression reduction in children with ASD and parenting stress reduction in their parents. 3. Participants in the experimental group will have significantly more reduction in depression, anxiety and parental stress than those in the wait-list-control group.

Detailed description

The intervention is a laughter yoga programme consisting of twelve sessions (biweekly). Sixty-six children with ASD and their father or mother from local autism support groups will join this study. Participants will be given an information sheet. Participants will be fully informed about laughter yoga's details, benefits and risks. All participants voluntarily take part in this study. If the family agrees to participate in this study, the parent will sign the consent form. Families will be randomized into an experimental group or a wait-list-control group. Before the laughter yoga programme, baseline data (T0) will be collected. The experimental group (n=33) will attend the twelve classes led by a certified laughter yoga trainer in an activity room that is suitable for indoor exercise. A research assistant will assist the laughter yoga teacher and provide first aid if needed. Parents will complete the questionnaire again immediately at the Programme End (T1) and at a 3-month follow-up (T2). The wait-list-control group (n=33) will receive the same laughter yoga programme after 3-month follow-up (T2).

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Parenting Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	laughter yoga	each class, including warm-up exercises, laughter yoga exercises, breathing and a relaxation session and sharing

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-03-15
• Primary completion: 2026-02-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2024-03-22
• Last updated: 2025-09-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hong Kong