Impact of Laughter Yoga on Test Anxiety and Education Stress of 8th Grade Students: An Experimental Study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether laughter yoga could reduce test anxiety and educational stress in 8th-grade students.
Results Summary
The study found that laughter yoga significantly decreased test anxiety and educational stress scores in the intervention group compared to the control group, with statistically significant effect sizes.
Population
8th-grade students in Turkey (64 participants, split into intervention and control groups).
Effective Dosage
Laughter yoga sessions twice a week.
Duration
6 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
laughter yoga sessions twice a week for 6 weeks | decrease | test anxiety scores | 8th grade students in Turkey | d = 0.859; p < 0.005 | showed a significant decrease | #1 |
laughter yoga sessions twice a week for 6 weeks | decrease | educational stress scores | 8th grade students in Turkey | d = 0.52875; p < 0.001 | showed a significant decrease | #2 |
laughter yoga | decrease | test anxiety | students | - | was associated with decreased | #3 |
laughter yoga | decrease | educational stress | students | - | was associated with decreased | #4 |
Objective: In an exam-based education system, it is of utmost importance to identify levels of test anxiety and educational stress that directly affect success, and to reduce anxiety. A study was conducted to examine the effects of laughter yoga on test anxiety and educational stress in 8th grade students in Turkey. Methods: A cluster sampling, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with pre-test/post-test design studied 64 students (32 in the intervention group and 32 in the control group). The intervention group received laughter yoga sessions twice a week for 6 weeks. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected by a demographic questionnaire, the Westside Test Anxiety Scale, and the Educational Stress Scale. Results: After laughter yoga, the intervention group showed a significant decrease in test anxiety (d = 0.859; p < 0.005) and educational stress scores (d = 0.52875; p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Conclusion: Laughter yoga was associated with decreased test anxiety and educational stress. Laughter yoga activities in schools are recommended to decrease educational stress and test anxiety of students.