Hospital Clowns Found Beneficial to Children’s Mental Health and Physical Recovery, Research Finds.
By Sida Lai in Week 5
Clowns may not be as scary as the character from the movie, “It.” Much more often than being serial killers in real life, they help children and adolescents in need.
A recent study confirmed the Hospital Clowns’ positive impacts on admitted young patients’ psychological wellbeings. They could improve mental wellness and reduce emotional burdens among children and adolescents with acute or chronic disorders under treatments, hence accelerating their recovery.
Well, what is a hospital clown?
Clowns are comic entertainers who specialize in theatrical performances in outlandish and brightly colored costumes. Since ancient times, clowns have been using physical comedy to amuse their audiences, often in circuses. In recent years, however, their portraits in cinematic production have not been positive. “The Dark Knight,” “It,” and “American Horror Story” all contain characters of clowns as psychopaths and serial killers.
Popular films and literature have hence generated coulrophobia, the fear of clown. 7.8 percent of Americans share this phobia, according to a Chapman University survey. A Vox survey also indicates that Americans are more afraid of clowns than climate change, terrorism, and death.
Under a clinical setting, however, hospital clowns are part of therapeutic clowning programs. They are specially trained professionals who regularly visit patients, often the younger ones, in health facilities to lift their moods through hope and humor. First found in the early 1900s, clown care has become a worldwide phenomenon in the past several decades.
But do they truly help?
Researchers have long considered wellbeing, self-confidence, and psychological processes as essential factors for response to treatment and improvements in the immune response. However, conventional medical procedures could increase young patients’ burden and distress, hence slowing down their recovery.
Existing studies have long believed that hospital clowns provide a complementary solution. By entertain admitted children and adolescents, they help foster positive emotional environments and hopeful attitudes among young audiences. The involvement of clowns during medical procedures could reduce fear, discomfort, and symptoms of invasiveness.
The recent study, led by Luís Carlos Lopes-Júnior, an adjunct Professor at Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, conducted trials on 1612 young patients. Their results further confirm the effectiveness of hospital clowns’ presence.
Lopes-Júnior indicates that Hospital clown performance as an alternative treatment could help alleviate negative signs, such as anxiety, pain, and fatigue, through humor and laughter. These symptoms often occur during medical procedures for acute conditions, induction of anesthesia, and as part of routine care for chronic illnesses. The improved mental state could consequently help facilitate patients’ healing.
Researchers also acknowledge the counter-productive presence of coulrophobia. Yet, data shows they are relatively rare. A recent study, led by Noam Meiri, discovered that the prevalence of coulrophobia among children in hospitals is only 1.2%. Instead, researchers have found alliance is often built between children and clowns that induce their comfort and trust in the hospital environment. More importantly, scholars indicate that hospital clowns’ benefits limit patients and benefit their parents and staff in stress-relieving through laughter and play.
“I love the balloon and toys that they give out,” said Tao Li, a 13-year-old patient under treatment. “I look forward to them all day.” Hospital clowning has been proven effective for young patients. And more research should be conducted to develop its operational guidelines further and maximize its benefits.