Effects of laughter on patient
Effects of laughter on patientEffects of Laughter on Patients and Caregiver
Laughter can be a powerful therapy for most patients and the caregivers. There are many benefits from the effects of humor and laughter on the body, mind, and spirit; the patient during recovery from illness; and the health professional during delivery of care. Most experienced caregivers have discovered that attention to only the physical body during treatment will render a partial or temporary recovery. The patient's emotional responses, belief system, and support network may effect compliance of treatment and ability to cope with fear, pain, and loss.
Medical studies indicate that laughter boosts levels of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and suppresses levels of epinephrine, the stress hormone. (3) The ability to laugh at a situation or problem provides a feeling of superiority and power. Humor and laughter can foster a positive and hopeful attitude. Humans are less likely to have feelings of depression and helplessness if we are able to laugh at what is troubling us. Humor gives us a sense of perspective and may allow for refocusing thoughts during times of difficultly. Laughter provides an opportunity for the release of those uncomfortable emotions, which, if oppressed, may create changes that are harmful.
Caregivers, as well as patients are in need of the therapeutic effects of humor and laughter. Healthcare providers may experience feelings of failure when their efforts are ineffective. They may feel anger and frustration when a patient rejects care or is noncompliant with treatment. They may feel grief when patients die or families mourn. Caregivers are at risk physically too (e.g., exhaustion from long shifts with inadequate staffing, exposure to infectious organisms and physical abuse from combative patients.) Ability to see the humor in a situation and to laugh freely with coworkers can be an effective way to take care of the body, mind and spirit.
Illness, either acute onset or exacerbation of a chronic illness can be a stressful event. Hospitalization, separation from family, invasive procedures, complex technology, or unfamiliar caregivers can all create feelings of anxiety, loneliness, discomfort, anger, panic, and depression for the patient. These emotions are known to produce physiological changes that are harmful to the body; changes which the use of humor and laughter can ease.
Situations where humor and laughter made a significant difference in a patient's response to care, but none as profound as this story. Fred was 60 years old and recovering from a mitral valve replacement. During his immediate postoperative recovery, Fred experienced a mild psychosis and severe depression. The acute psychotic episode resolved prior to discharge, but the profound depression continued for many weeks. Fred lacked enthusiasm for anything. He refused to eat, to walk, and even refused to wear anything but pajamas. His surgeon referred him to an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program.
Upon entry into the program, Fred walked with a shuffling gait, responded to questions with one or two words, and was unable to make eye contact. His...
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