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Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 6/2012

01-11-2012 | Regular Article

Effect of laughter on salivary flow rates and levels of chromogranin A in young adults and elderly people

Authors: Masahiro Toda, Hiroe Ichikawa

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 6/2012

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Abstract

Objectives

Salivary chromogranin A (CgA) levels and salivary flow rates were measured to evaluate the stress relief effect of laughter on the young and the elderly.

Methods

Thirty healthy volunteers (15 aged 20–25 years; 15 aged 62–83 years) performed a serial arithmetic task for 15 min and then watched a comedy video for 30 min. On a different day, as a control, they watched a non-humorous video after performing a task similar to the first one. Saliva samples were collected immediately before and after the arithmetic task, 30 min after completing the task (immediately after watching the film), and 30 min after watching the film (60 min after completing mental task). Salivary CgA levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

In the elderly group, salivary flow rates, which had declined by the end of the arithmetic task, were statistically significantly higher after watching the comedy video. In the young group, salivary CgA levels, which had increased by the end of the task, had statistically significantly declined after watching the comedy video. No such post-task changes were apparent in control results; in the young group, there was a statistically significant interprotocol difference in salivary CgA levels.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that laughter may relieve stress, particularly in the young people.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of laughter on salivary flow rates and levels of chromogranin A in young adults and elderly people
Authors
Masahiro Toda
Hiroe Ichikawa
Publication date
01-11-2012
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-012-0279-5

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Acknowledgment

Acknowledgment to reviewers who served in 2012