Effects on Health Conditions Laughter and humor also have the following effects on specific illnesses:[3][4] There is an inverse association between coronary heart disease and propensity to laugh; laughing more means lower heart attack risk. [5] A 2018 study found that laughter therapy effectively delays cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes. Watching a comedy show decreased overall rise in glucose levels after eating. [6] Higher propensity to laugh correlates with fewer episodes of arrhythmias and recurrent MIs during cardiac rehabilitation. [7] Laughter increases pain tolerance. [8][9] Laughter therapy improves self-esteem and mood in cancer patients, according to a small 2015 trial. [10] Watching a funny movie decreased bronchial responsiveness in people with [11] Laughter and clowning reduced hyperinflation of the lungs in people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). [12] Hospital clowns reduce stress and anxiety levels in hospitalized children and their parents. [13] ElderClowns reduced agitation and increased happiness in nursing home patients. [14] Humor therapy (watching a 20-minute humorous movie) led to improvements in cognitive function, including learning ability, delayed recall, and visual recognition in study that included 30 older adults. [15] Comedy improv training led to subjective improvements in symptoms for people with Parkinsons disease. [16] A study of 30 people with schizophrenia found that 10 hours of humor skill training can improve rehabilitative outcomes and sense of humor (including change in negative symptoms). [17] Laughter decreased inflammation (as measured by pro-inflammatory cytokine levels) in people with rheumatoid arthritis. [18] Laughter and humor reduce wheal (skin swelling) reactions to [19] Laughter also has the potential to significantly affect the quality of our work lives. Humor helps relieve tension, reassures people, and draws them together. It likely strengthens the bonds between patients and members of their care team.[20] It even seems to increase peoples willingness to disclose, so it may help with obtaining good information during patient interviews.[21] A study of laughter therapys effects on volunteer community care workers found that it reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.[22]