Effect of Laughter on Muscle Tone

Empirical study of the influence of a Laughing Qigong Program on long‐term care residents

“…LQP differs from traditional qigong, as it has adopted tenets from positive psychology and the integration of the “transformation stage” (refer to http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ggi.12244/suppinfo). Though both types of qigong rely on deep, diaphragm breathing, LQP relies on the muscle tone mechanisms from simulated laughter to elicit the relaxation response …”

“…Studies in gelotology are still in their infancy, and it is still difficult to distinguish the differences between hearty laughter and simulated laughter. An early report by Paskind found that periods of intense laughter lead to decreased skeletal muscle tone or relaxation of muscle groups . During laughter, muscle groups are activated, and the period immediately after the laugh leads to general muscle relaxation.…”

“…Though both types of qigong rely on deep, diaphragm breathing, LQP relies on the muscle tone mechanisms from simulated laughter to elicit the relaxation response. 52 Across the globe, studies investigating laughter on community-dwelling older adults found similar results; 4,53 mean GDS scores for participants in a Korean study 4 decreased from 7.98 ± 3.6 to 6.94 ± 3.2 (P < 0.05), whereas those in Japan 14 decreased from 8.7 ± 6.8 to 6.3 ± 4.5 (immediate treatment group) and increased from 8.3 ± 6.3 to 9.0 ± 7.4 (delayed treatment group). Though the results in Japan were not significant.…”

“…An early report by Paskind found that periods of intense laughter lead to decreased skeletal muscle tone or relaxation of muscle groups. 52 During laughter, muscle groups are activated, and the period immediately after the laugh leads to general muscle relaxation. A more recent study attempts to document the effect of laughter on muscles as measured by the Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex).…”

Empirical study of the influence of a Laughing Qigong Program on long‐term care residents

“…LQP differs from traditional qigong, as it has adopted tenets from positive psychology and the integration of the “transformation stage” (refer to http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ggi.12244/suppinfo). Though both types of qigong rely on deep, diaphragm breathing, LQP relies on the muscle tone mechanisms from simulated laughter to elicit the relaxation response …”

“…Studies in gelotology are still in their infancy, and it is still difficult to distinguish the differences between hearty laughter and simulated laughter. An early report by Paskind found that periods of intense laughter lead to decreased skeletal muscle tone or relaxation of muscle groups . During laughter, muscle groups are activated, and the period immediately after the laugh leads to general muscle relaxation.…”

“…Though both types of qigong rely on deep, diaphragm breathing, LQP relies on the muscle tone mechanisms from simulated laughter to elicit the relaxation response. 52 Across the globe, studies investigating laughter on community-dwelling older adults found similar results; 4,53 mean GDS scores for participants in a Korean study 4 decreased from 7.98 ± 3.6 to 6.94 ± 3.2 (P < 0.05), whereas those in Japan 14 decreased from 8.7 ± 6.8 to 6.3 ± 4.5 (immediate treatment group) and increased from 8.3 ± 6.3 to 9.0 ± 7.4 (delayed treatment group). Though the results in Japan were not significant.…”

“…An early report by Paskind found that periods of intense laughter lead to decreased skeletal muscle tone or relaxation of muscle groups. 52 During laughter, muscle groups are activated, and the period immediately after the laugh leads to general muscle relaxation. A more recent study attempts to document the effect of laughter on muscles as measured by the Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex).…”

The healing power of well-being

“…It improves coordination of brain functions, which increases alertness and memory, and helps clear the respiratory tract from coughing. Laughter increases blood oxygen, and strengthens internal muscles by tightening and releasing them (95). Studies show that 20 s of laughing works the heart as much as 3 min of hard rowing (94).…”

Empirical study of the influence of a Laughing Qigong Program on long‐term care residents

“…LQP differs from traditional qigong, as it has adopted tenets from positive psychology and the integration of the “transformation stage” (refer to http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ggi.12244/suppinfo). Though both types of qigong rely on deep, diaphragm breathing, LQP relies on the muscle tone mechanisms from simulated laughter to elicit the relaxation response …”

“…Studies in gelotology are still in their infancy, and it is still difficult to distinguish the differences between hearty laughter and simulated laughter. An early report by Paskind found that periods of intense laughter lead to decreased skeletal muscle tone or relaxation of muscle groups . During laughter, muscle groups are activated, and the period immediately after the laugh leads to general muscle relaxation.…”

“…Though both types of qigong rely on deep, diaphragm breathing, LQP relies on the muscle tone mechanisms from simulated laughter to elicit the relaxation response. 52 Across the globe, studies investigating laughter on community-dwelling older adults found similar results; 4,53 mean GDS scores for participants in a Korean study 4 decreased from 7.98 ± 3.6 to 6.94 ± 3.2 (P < 0.05), whereas those in Japan 14 decreased from 8.7 ± 6.8 to 6.3 ± 4.5 (immediate treatment group) and increased from 8.3 ± 6.3 to 9.0 ± 7.4 (delayed treatment group). Though the results in Japan were not significant.…”

“…An early report by Paskind found that periods of intense laughter lead to decreased skeletal muscle tone or relaxation of muscle groups. 52 During laughter, muscle groups are activated, and the period immediately after the laugh leads to general muscle relaxation. A more recent study attempts to document the effect of laughter on muscles as measured by the Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex).…”

The healing power of well-being

“…It improves coordination of brain functions, which increases alertness and memory, and helps clear the respiratory tract from coughing. Laughter increases blood oxygen, and strengthens internal muscles by tightening and releasing them (95). Studies show that 20 s of laughing works the heart as much as 3 min of hard rowing (94).…”

Empirical study of the influence of a Laughing Qigong Program on long‐term care residents

“…LQP differs from traditional qigong, as it has adopted tenets from positive psychology and the integration of the “transformation stage” (refer to http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ggi.12244/suppinfo). Though both types of qigong rely on deep, diaphragm breathing, LQP relies on the muscle tone mechanisms from simulated laughter to elicit the relaxation response …”

“…Studies in gelotology are still in their infancy, and it is still difficult to distinguish the differences between hearty laughter and simulated laughter. An early report by Paskind found that periods of intense laughter lead to decreased skeletal muscle tone or relaxation of muscle groups . During laughter, muscle groups are activated, and the period immediately after the laugh leads to general muscle relaxation.…”

“…Though both types of qigong rely on deep, diaphragm breathing, LQP relies on the muscle tone mechanisms from simulated laughter to elicit the relaxation response. 52 Across the globe, studies investigating laughter on community-dwelling older adults found similar results; 4,53 mean GDS scores for participants in a Korean study 4 decreased from 7.98 ± 3.6 to 6.94 ± 3.2 (P < 0.05), whereas those in Japan 14 decreased from 8.7 ± 6.8 to 6.3 ± 4.5 (immediate treatment group) and increased from 8.3 ± 6.3 to 9.0 ± 7.4 (delayed treatment group). Though the results in Japan were not significant.…”

“…An early report by Paskind found that periods of intense laughter lead to decreased skeletal muscle tone or relaxation of muscle groups. 52 During laughter, muscle groups are activated, and the period immediately after the laugh leads to general muscle relaxation. A more recent study attempts to document the effect of laughter on muscles as measured by the Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex).…”

The healing power of well-being

“…It improves coordination of brain functions, which increases alertness and memory, and helps clear the respiratory tract from coughing. Laughter increases blood oxygen, and strengthens internal muscles by tightening and releasing them (95). Studies show that 20 s of laughing works the heart as much as 3 min of hard rowing (94).…”