Evaluation of a standardized humor group in a clinical setting: a feasibility study for older patients with depression

• Published in: International journal of geriatric psychiatry Vol. 28; no. 8; pp. 850 - 857
• Main Authors: Konradt, Brigitte, Hirsch, Rolf D., Jonitz, Markus F., Junglas, Karin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hove Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2013; Psychology Press; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical outcomes; Depression; depressive disorder; Depressive Disorder - therapy; Empirical Research; Feasibility Studies; Female; General aspects; geriatric patients; Geriatric Psychiatry; Geriatric psychology; Geriatrics; Humans; Humor; humor therapy; Laughter Therapy - methods; Male; Medical sciences; Mental depression; Middle Aged; Mood disorders; Older people; Patient Satisfaction; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotherapy; Psychotherapy, Group - methods; Quality of life; state and trait cheerfulness; Wit and Humor as Topic; Human; Mood disorder; Evaluation; Social group; Psychology; Ingroup; Therapeutic framework; Depression; state and trait cheerfulness; Humor; Symptomatology; Gerontology; Treatment; geriatric patients; depressive disorder; Feasibility; Elderly; Psychiatry; humor therapy; Geriatrics
• ISSN: 0885-6230; 1099-1166
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.3893

Background Positive effects of humor on older patients with depressive symptoms have been repeatedly reported. Empirical evidence however is rare. We investigated the efficacy of a standardized humor therapy group in a clinical context especially for older depressed patients. Patients and methods An experimental group with treatment (49 patients) was compared with a control group with no treatment (50 patients) in a semi‐randomized design. Included were patients with major depression according to ICD‐10. A set of questionnaires (Geriatric Depression Scale, Short Form Health Survey, State‐Trait‐Cheerfulness Inventory, and Satisfaction with Life Scale) was administered pretreatment and posttreatment. Results Both groups showed improvement for depression, suicidal tendency, state cheerfulness, and state bad mood. Only participants of the humor group showed changes of state seriousness and satisfaction with life (p < 0.05). Further trends could be demonstrated for higher changes in state cheerfulness and resilience for the humor group. Conclusion Our results indicate an additional benefit of this specific therapeutic intervention for older depressed patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.