Exploring Laughter Therapy for Dry Eye Disease Relief

Laughter Therapy: A Potential Breakthrough for Dry Eye Disease

Dry Eye Disease (DED) affects approximately 360 million people globally and is often treated with conventional methods such as eye drops. However, a recent clinical trial from China published by The BMJ investigates how laughter therapy could provide a novel approach to alleviating symptoms associated with this ocular surface disease.

Clinical Trial Overview

The trial involved 283 participants aged 18-45, who were surveyed for DED through the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one engaged in laughter exercises and the other used 0.1% sodium hyaluronic acid eye drops. Each treatment lasted for eight weeks.

• Laughter Group: Participants vocalized specific phrases for five minutes daily in a standardized manner.
• Eye Drop Group: Participants applied eye drops four times daily and logged usage through a mobile app.

Results and Findings

After eight weeks, the laughter group reported an average OSDI score reduction of 10.5 points, while the eye drop group saw a decrease of 8.83 points, indicating that laughter therapy was comparable to traditional treatments. Furthermore, benefits were also observed in non-invasive tear break-up time, meibomian gland function, and enhancements in mental health scores.

Implications for Treatment

The authors suggest laughter therapy as a safe, low-cost, and environmentally friendly option for those struggling with symptoms of dry eye disease. Given these findings, laughter might serve as a viable first-line, home-based treatment, potentially complementing conventional therapeutic approaches.