ABSTRACT

Background: The therapeutic role of humor and hospital clowns has become a focus of interest in recent decades. Most of the research in the area has focused on children; here, we explore the influence of clown performances on adult cancer patients, their companions, and health-care staff.

Methods: Ninety-nine cancer patients and 113 companions were assessed pre- and post-interventions performed by professional clowns; 31 health professionals were asked about the possible influence of the presence of clowns in hospital on their work.

Results: Patients felt that clowning performances helped to reduce their level of psychological symptoms, but not their physical symptoms. Companions reported improvements in all the psychological symptoms explored. Health professionals reported that the presence of clowns in the workplace improved their well-being.

Conclusions: Clowning performances helped to improve psychological functioning in all the populations studied, especially in companions. Adult hospitals should consider promoting clowning interventions to improve general well-being.

摘要

背景：近几十年来，幽默和医院小丑的治疗作用已成为人们关注的焦点。该领域的大部分研究都集中在儿童身上。在这里，我们探讨了小丑表演对成年癌症患者、他们的同伴和医护人员的影响。

方法：由专业小丑对 99 名癌症患者和 113 名同伴进行干预前后的评估；31 名卫生专业人员被问及医院里出现小丑对其工作可能产生的影响。

结果：患者认为小丑表演有助于降低他们的心理症状水平，而不是他们的身体症状。同伴报告了所有探索的心理症状的改善。卫生专业人员报告说，工作场所小丑的存在改善了他们的幸福感。

结论：小丑表演有助于改善所有研究人群的心理功能，尤其是同伴。成人医院应考虑推广小丑干预措施以改善整体福祉。