Effects of Laughter Yoga Practiced by Nursing Students Before Clinical Practice

Aim: We conducted this randomized controlled study to determine the effect of laughter yoga practiced by first year nursing students before clinical practice on their perceptions of stress and meaning of life. Background: Laughter yoga has a positive effect on the person's mental/general health, life satisfaction and psychological well-being and enables the person to cope with stress. Design: In this experimental randomized and controlled study including a control group, we administered a pre-test, post-test one and post-test two to the participating students. Methods: We conducted the study with 45 first year nursing students in the intervention group, and 45 first year nursing students in the control group. The students in the intervention group took part in eight sessions of laughter yoga for four weeks, twice a week. We used the Descriptive Information Form, Perceived Stress Scale, and Meaning and Purpose of Life Scale to collect the study data.