laughter as medical therapy

8/7/2019 laughter as medical therapy

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Laughter..the bestLaughter..the best

medicine!medicine!

Dr. Zarmina Munir, Bradford 2008


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FACT: Medical studies demonstrate that theFACT: Medical studies demonstrate that thenatural medicine of humour and the positivenatural medicine of humour and the positive

emotions it generates:emotions it generates: boosts the immune systemboosts the immune system

stabilizes blood pressurestabilizes blood pressure

massages inner organsmassages inner organs

stimulates circulationstimulates circulation increase flow of oxygen to musclesincrease flow of oxygen to muscles

...thereby dramatically...thereby dramatically decreasing tensiondecreasing tension!!


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Laughter that is based on caring and empathyLaughter that is based on caring and empathy

also:also:

creates bonds between people; creates bonds between people; is nourishing; is nourishing;

helps people cope with difficult situations; helps people cope with difficult situations;

is supportive; is supportive; gives people cognitive control; and gives people cognitive control; and

provides a diversion. provides a diversion.


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Humour therapyanyone heard of it?Humour therapyanyone heard of it?

Its actually used in medicine!..Its actually used in medicine!..

...seriously...seriously

Im not making this up!Im not making this up!


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What is it?What is it?

The use of humour for the relief of physical or emotional pain and stress. Its usedThe use of humour for the relief of physical or emotional pain and stress. Its used

as a complementary method to promote health and cope with illness.as a complementary method to promote health and cope with illness.

What is it used for?What is it used for?

Humour therapy is generally used to improve quality of life, provide some painHumour therapy is generally used to improve quality of life, provide some pain

relief, encourage relaxation, and reduce stress. Being able to find humour in liferelief, encourage relaxation, and reduce stress. Being able to find humour in life

can be helpful when dealing with cancer/terminal disease.can be helpful when dealing with cancer/terminal disease.

What does it involve?What does it involve?

Many hospitals and treatment centres (in the USA) have set up special roomsMany hospitals and treatment centres (in the USA) have set up special rooms

where humorous materials, and sometimes people, are placed to help makewhere humorous materials, and sometimes people, are placed to help make

people laugh. Materials commonly used include movies, audio and videotapes,people laugh. Materials commonly used include movies, audio and videotapes,

books, games, and puzzles. Many hospitals use volunteers who visit patients forbooks, games, and puzzles. Many hospitals use volunteers who visit patients for

the purpose of providing opportunities for laughter. A 1999 survey found that aboutthe purpose of providing opportunities for laughter. A 1999 survey found that about1 in 5 National Cancer Institute1 in 5 National Cancer Institute--designated treatment centres offered humourdesignated treatment centres offered humour

therapy(in the US)therapy(in the US)


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What is the evidence?What is the evidence?

Available scientific evidence does not support humour as an effective treatmentAvailable scientific evidence does not support humour as an effective treatmentfor cancer or any other disease; however, laughter has many benefits, includingfor cancer or any other disease; however, laughter has many benefits, includingpositive physical changes and an overall sense of well being. The healing power ofpositive physical changes and an overall sense of well being. The healing power ofhumour has been long been recognized but only in the past few years has it beenhumour has been long been recognized but only in the past few years has it beensupported by medical science. Everyone knows that 'laughter is the best medicine',supported by medical science. Everyone knows that 'laughter is the best medicine',

and now international research has found real physiological and psychologicaland now international research has found real physiological and psychologicalbenefits to patients.benefits to patients.

The findings show that humour:The findings show that humour:

Has a positive effect on the cardiovascular and respiratory system, similar to Has a positive effect on the cardiovascular and respiratory system, similar toexerciseexercise

Some studies have shown an increase in endorphin levels. This enhances a Some studies have shown an increase in endorphin levels. This enhances afeeling of wellfeeling of well-- being and helps in pain reduction.being and helps in pain reduction.

The immune system is improved because laughter increases the level of NThe immune system is improved because laughter increases the level of N--KK

(natural killer) cells,IgA, IgG, IgM and plasma cytokine gamma interferon.(natural killer) cells,IgA, IgG, IgM and plasma cytokine gamma interferon. The levels of the bodys major stress hormoneThe levels of the bodys major stress hormone cortisolcortisol are reduced not onlyare reduced not only

during the time of laughter but for many hours after.during the time of laughter but for many hours after.

Another study found that neuroendocrine and stressAnother study found that neuroendocrine and stress--related hormones decreasedrelated hormones decreasedduring episodes of laughter. These findings provide support for the claim thatduring episodes of laughter. These findings provide support for the claim thathumor can relieve stress.humor can relieve stress.


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RESEARCH FINDINGSRESEARCH FINDINGS

Norman Cousins (long time editor of Saturday review inNorman Cousins (long time editor of Saturday review inUSA) was the first person in recent times to drawUSA) was the first person in recent times to drawattention to the health benefits of humour. This wasattention to the health benefits of humour. This was

from his own experience of illness.from his own experience of illness. William Fry (psychiatrist and professor emeritus fromWilliam Fry (psychiatrist and professor emeritus from

the Stanford University School of Medicine) is anotherthe Stanford University School of Medicine) is anotherthat has contributed greatly to the physiologicalthat has contributed greatly to the physiologicalresearch on humour. Berk and Tan have also doneresearch on humour. Berk and Tan have also done

many of the studies on which claims for themany of the studies on which claims for thephysiological benefits of laughter are made.physiological benefits of laughter are made.


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Effect on Pain:Effect on Pain:

Norman Cousins found humour and laughter relieved the pain of his ankylosingNorman Cousins found humour and laughter relieved the pain of his ankylosing

spondylitis. In 1969 he collaborated with his physician Dr Hitzig and watched funnyspondylitis. In 1969 he collaborated with his physician Dr Hitzig and watched funny

films and read humorous books and found that 10 minutes of laughter gave him 2films and read humorous books and found that 10 minutes of laughter gave him 2

hours of pain free sleep. There was physiological evidence in his lower ESR . Thehours of pain free sleep. There was physiological evidence in his lower ESR . The

reduction not only held, but was cumulative. He popularised the benefits ofreduction not only held, but was cumulative. He popularised the benefits of

laughter in his books Anatomy of an Illness and Head First:The Biology of Hope.laughter in his books Anatomy of an Illness and Head First:The Biology of Hope.

His theory that positive emotions had a positive effect on health lead to modernHis theory that positive emotions had a positive effect on health lead to modernresearch. Based at UCLA Medical School, he established the Humour Researchresearch. Based at UCLA Medical School, he established the Humour Research

Task Force to coTask Force to co--ordinate and support world wide clinical research on humour.ordinate and support world wide clinical research on humour.

In 1928 Dr James Walsh noted in his book Laughter and Health that laughterIn 1928 Dr James Walsh noted in his book Laughter and Health that laughter

reduced the pain after surgery and promoted wound healing.reduced the pain after surgery and promoted wound healing.

Women with painful muscle disorders got significant pain relief after a course ofWomen with painful muscle disorders got significant pain relief after a course of

humour therapy. (L. Ljungdahl Journal of the American Medical Association 1989)humour therapy. (L. Ljungdahl Journal of the American Medical Association 1989)

Young girls with burns were shown cartoons during very painful hydrotherapy.Young girls with burns were shown cartoons during very painful hydrotherapy.

Their perception of pain was reduced. The study was done by ML Kelly andTheir perception of pain was reduced. The study was done by ML Kelly and

published in the Journal ofApplied BehaviourAnalysis 1984)published in the Journal ofApplied BehaviourAnalysis 1984)


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CARDIOVASCULAREffects:CARDIOVASCULAREffects:

Laughter, like exercise, increases the heart rate. William Fry inLaughter, like exercise, increases the heart rate. William Fry in1971 first demonstrated that laughter increases the heart rate,1971 first demonstrated that laughter increases the heart rate,blood pressure, oxygen consumption, and works the muscles inblood pressure, oxygen consumption, and works the muscles inthe face and stomach. Shortly after, these levels drop, providing athe face and stomach. Shortly after, these levels drop, providing arelaxation response.relaxation response.

STRESSSTRESS

Prolonged stress creates unhealthy physiological changes. StressProlonged stress creates unhealthy physiological changes. Stresscauses the adrenal glands to release cortico steroids and highcauses the adrenal glands to release cortico steroids and highlevels have an immunosuppressive effect. Laughter is an antidote.levels have an immunosuppressive effect. Laughter is an antidote.Berk, Tan, Fry et al reported this in Neuroendrocrine and stressBerk, Tan, Fry et al reported this in Neuroendrocrine and stresshormone changes during mirthful laughterAmerican Journal of thehormone changes during mirthful laughterAmerican Journal of theMedical Sciences. 298(6), 390Medical Sciences. 298(6), 390--396.396.


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Effect on the IMMUNESYSTEMEffect on the IMMUNESYSTEM

Laughter stimulates the immune system. L. Berk, ofLoma Linda University SchoolLaughter stimulates the immune system. L. Berk, ofLoma Linda University Schoolof Medicineof Medicine demonstrated that laughterdemonstrated that laughter

lowers serum cortisol levelslowers serum cortisol levels increases the number ofTincreases the number ofT--cells that have helper/suppressor receptorscells that have helper/suppressor receptors increases the number & activity of natural killer cellsincreases the number & activity of natural killer cells

Other research supported these findings.Other research supported these findings.

Blood of patients was analysed before, during and after watching a humorousBlood of patients was analysed before, during and after watching a humorousvideo. The test foundvideo. The test found significantsignificant boost to immune function, including higher levelsboost to immune function, including higher levelsof antiof anti--bodies and natural killer cells which are the bodybodies and natural killer cells which are the bodys defence against aberrants defence against aberrantcells such as cancer. Thi s study was done bycells such as cancer. Thi s study was done by Barry Bittman, neurologist &Barry Bittman, neurologist &pioneer in psychoneuroimmunology (how emotions effect the immune system)pioneer in psychoneuroimmunology (how emotions effect the immune system)

The positive effects of laughter on the immune system continued the next dayThe positive effects of laughter on the immune system continued the next day -- -- --

levels ofPlasma Immunoglobulin, Plasma Cytokine Gamma Interferon and killerlevels ofPlasma Immunoglobulin, Plasma Cytokine Gamma Interferon and killercells remained high 12 hours later. Berk /Tan published this study in Laughter &cells remained high 12 hours later. Berk /Tan published this study in Laughter &The Immune System: a serious approachThe Immune System: a serious approach


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RESPIRATORYSYSTEM effects:RESPIRATORYSYSTEM effects:

Dr David Garlick of University of NSW School ofPhysiology &Dr David Garlick of University of NSW School ofPhysiology &Pharmacology studies the effects of laughter on the respiratory system.Pharmacology studies the effects of laughter on the respiratory system.Abdominal movements were measured during funny videos andAbdominal movements were measured during funny videos anddocumentaries. Laughter was followed by a long sigh and a large intakedocumentaries. Laughter was followed by a long sigh and a large intake

of breath, leading to better respiratory movement.of breath, leading to better respiratory movement.


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SOlaugh moredie old.SOlaugh moredie old.

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laughter as medical therapy