CompletedNot Applicable

Effects of a Laughter Yoga Program in Adolescents With Disabilities

Hong Kong45 participantsStarted 2023-01-27

Plain-language summary

A pilot randomized controlled trial will be adopted. A total of forty adolescents with intellectual and physical disabilities will be randomly allocated into either intervention group receiving a 4-week laughter yoga programme (8 sessions) or control group receiving routine care in a 1:1 ratio based on computer-generated random schedule. The aim of this pilot study is to preliminarily evaluate the effects of a 4-week laughter yoga programme (8 sessions) on the mood, anxiety and loneliness among adolescents with intellectual and physical disabilities in a special school in Hong Kong. Hypotheses for primary outcomes of this study are as follows: H.1 Participants receiving the 4-week laughter yoga programme (8 sessions) (intervention group) will have a greater improvement on mood level than the participants receiving routine care provided by the special school as usual (control group). H.2 Participants receiving the 4-week laughter yoga programme (8 sessions) (intervention group) will have a greater reduction on anxiety than the participants receiving routine care provided by the special school as usual (control group). H.3 Participants receiving the 4-week laughter yoga programme (8 sessions) (intervention group) will have a greater reduction on loneliness than the participants receiving routine care provided by the special school as usual (control group).

Who can participate

Age range

10 Years – 19 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescent has been diagnosed with mild and moderate intellectual or/and physical disabilities * Adolescent is studying between Grade 4 and Grade 12 in the selected special school * Adolescent aged between 10 and 19 years old in this selected special school during the data collection period * Adolescent has not received any psychotherapy previously * Adolescent has the proficiency in understanding instructions for laughter exercises and hands and body movement Exclusion Criteria: * Adolescent has not been diagnosed with mild and moderate intellectual or/and physical disabilities * Adolescent is studying lower than Grade 4 in the selected special school * Adolescent aged \< 10 years old and \> 19 years old in this selected special school during the data collection period * Adolescent has previously received psychotherapy * Adolescent does not have the proficiency in understanding instructions for laughter exercises and hands and body movement

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Mood

Timeframe: Before the intervention

Mood

Timeframe: Immediate after the intervention

Anxiety

Timeframe: Before the intervention

Anxiety

Timeframe: Immediate after the intervention

Loneliness

Timeframe: Before the intervention

Loneliness

Timeframe: Immediate after the intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05832346

SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2023-03-26

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Disability, Adolescent Learning trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

10 Years – 19 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.