Effects of laughter on hyperinflation in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease

Completed Research Project

Title / Titel: Effects of laughter on hyperinflation in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease

Summary / Zusammenfassung: Laughter exerts an influence on respiratory physiology but its precise description is still missing. The project investigates the effects of laughter on various respiratory parameters (e.g., gas exchange, the different lung volumes, respiration movements) among healthy participants and patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. It is expected that laughter has a positive effect on hyperinflation among the COPD patients that may last for 24 hours. However, this effect will be mediated by temperament and mood and the amount of laughter individuals engage in. In a pilot study 10 healthy adults and 20 COPD patients will be exposed to a live humor performance of one hour and their facial responses will be recorded. Additionally the respiratory movements of the healthy adults will be assessed telemetrically. Pulmonary measures as well as mood and temperament (State-Trait-Cheerfulness Inventory) will be measured before and after the humor intervention, as well as several hours and one day later. Given the effects are found laughter could be incorporated into the standard physiotherapeutic treatments.

Publications / Publikationen: Brutsche, M.H., Grossman, P., Müller, R.E., Wiegand, J., Pello, Baty, F., & Ruch, W. (2008). Impact of laughter on air trapping in severe chronic obstructive lung disease. International Journal of COPD, 3(1) 1–8.
Ruch, W. , Grossman, P., Müller, R.E., Wiegand, J., Pello, Baty, F., & Brutsche, M.H. (in vorbereitung). Mood and temperament as mediators of an intervention programme severe chronic obstructive lung disease. Manuskript in Vorbereitung.

Keywords / Suchbegriffe: benefits of laughter, lung function, hyperinflation, chronic obstructive lung disease, termperament, mood

Project Leadership and Contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte

PD Dr. Dr. Martin H. Brutsche (Project Leader)	mbrutsche@uhbs.ch
Prof. Dr. Willibald Ruch (Project Leader)	w.ruch@psychologie.uzh.ch

In Collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit

PD Dr. Dr. Martin H. Brutsche
Pneumologie
Universitätsspital Basel
CH-4031 Basel

Switzerland