Source: Edmonds News
A recent review of studies conducted by multiple organizations and institutions, released October 13th, 2020, revealed that clown doctors or medical clowns could possibly have a positive effect on children and adults suffering from acute conditions and chronic disorders.
A study review led by Luís Carlos Lopes-Júnior showed that most studies conducted about the effectiveness of clowns in aiding the tensions of receiving grievous medical attention can have a number of positive psychological, emotional, and even physical effects.
The studies that were reviewed were from six different countries and after some rigorous quality checks, results yielded positive outcomes and showed that the presence of a clown during medical treatment can result in less pain, stress, distress, fatigue, and especially anxiety. The studies even proved to be effective on children and adolescents receiving chemotherapy.
The review did, however, raise the question of how effective medical clowns are on adolescents, as “adolescents are prone to conceal their feelings and might show more behavioral control”. It also made mention of how this form of treatment may not be effective on patients who suffer from coulrophobia. Glamour Magazine found that the 2017 hit film, It, awakened the ‘paralyzing’ phobia across America.
In the end, the review questions whether or not it is the presence of clowns that brings about relief to children and adults or whether health workers could play the same role and bring about the same or better relief results if dressed in a friendlier manner. The review also suggests that the studies still need more refining and among other things, could be made more conclusive with the use of larger sample sizes.