Laughter as medicine? New trial finds laughter exercise as effective as artificial tears in relieving dry eye symptoms, offering a fun alternative for patients. Study: Effect of laughter exercise versus 0.1% sodium hyaluronic acid on ocular surface discomfort in dry eye disease: non-inferiority randomised controlled trial .
Image Credit: Gatot Adri/Shutterstock.com In a recent study published in the British Medical Journal , researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the safety and efficacy of laughter exercise with that of artificial tears containing 0.1% sodium hyaluronate in patients with symptomatic dry eye disease (DED).
They found that laughter exercise was non-inferior to artificial tears in reducing dry eye symptoms and improved tear film stability, with no significant differences in other outcomes. Background DED is a common condition characterized by chronic discomfort, tear film instability, and visual disturbances, now affecting an estimated 360 million people worldwide. While not life-threatening, DED significantly reduces the quality of life and imposes a substantial economic burden.
Its prevalence has surged due to aging populations, increased screen time, and rising air pollution. In addition to physical symptoms, a growing body of evidence suggests a strong link between DED and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, with emotional factors often exacerbating the symptoms. Laughter therapy, an intervention designed to promote .