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"Clowning."
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\I made you a small room in my heart\: how therapeutic clowns meet the needs of older adults in nursing homes
Therapeutic clowns are increasingly common in nursing homes, where residents often encounter factors that can undermine their quality of life and dignity. We aimed to understand the strategies of successful therapeutic clowning with a diverse older adult population, and the unique contributions of elder-clowning to the nursing home experience. Using an interpretivist descriptive methodology, twenty-three (n=23) experienced therapeutic clowns from eight countries were interviewed to understand the needs of nursing home residents met by elder-clowns, and strategies and techniques the clowns use to address them. Participants identified five major needs: to escape routine; for reassurance of worth; for meaningful, personalized social interaction unrestricted by communication barriers; to have culturally meaningful opportunities for reminiscence; and to have a space where residents could be unapologetically themselves. The artistic and emotional strategies used by the therapeutic clowns to address these needs illustrate how creativity, imagination and relational presence can provide nursing home residents with a sense of being known and belonging. Elder-clowns also positively affect the nursing home staff and enrich the interpersonal interactions in the residence. Through their focus on the social and emotional needs of residents, elder-clowns can play an important and distinct role in creating an optimal nursing home experience.
Journal Article
The art of clowning : more paths to your inner clown
\"The Art of Clowning is the first book on clowning technique and offers a step-by-step process for actors and other theatrical enthusiasts to discover their \"inner clown.\" This fun and accessible guide expands on theories and exercises to help students and beginners develop solo and group performances. Using twenty years of teaching experience, Simon reveals a complete system of clowning that is a must-have for amateurs and experts alike. Now with even MORE ways to find your inner clown!\"-- Provided by publisher.
Book
The effectiveness of a medical clowning program on improving emotional status among hospitalized children undergoing cancer treatment: A quasi‐experimental study
Purpose To examine the effectiveness of one‐time medical clowning on improving short‐term positive emotions among hospitalized children undergoing cancer treatment, and to analyze whether age moderates this effect. Design In this quasi‐experimental research study, we recruited a pooled sample of 96 children who were undergoing cancer treatment in pediatric oncology/hematology wards at three university‐affiliated medical centers in Taiwan from June 2018 through April 2020. Methods Children’s demographic characteristics, symptom distress, quality of life, and pretest emotional status were collected at T1. At T2, we collected only posttest emotional status. We adapted generalized estimating equation models to evaluate the effectiveness of medical clowning on enhancing positive emotions. Findings Changes in the probabilities of positive emotion were significantly different across groups (51.84% for the experimental group, 15.76% for the control group; Δ = 36.08, p = 0.001), and the change was more than two times larger for the experimental group (effect ratio = 3.28, p < 0.05) than for the control group. When evaluating the moderating effect of age on the intervention, none of the coefficients reached the significant (p < 0.05) levels, suggesting that age may not moderate the intervention effect. Conclusion This study demonstrates the core value of medical clowning in child‐friendly health care. Our findings clearly support the benefit of the one‐time medical clowning program on enhancing short‐term emotional well‐being across age groups of children. Medical clowning programs should be strongly encouraged and supported in pediatric oncology wards. Clinical relevance Medical clowning programs should be widely and continuously implemented in pediatric oncology wards as a routine clinical practice for enhancing emotional well‐being among children receiving cancer treatment. Nurses need to be aware of medical clowning’s equal effectiveness across age groups, not only or better for younger children.
Journal Article
Clowning as social performance in Colombia : ridicule and resistance
\"Contemporary Clowning as Social Performance in Colombia brings to light the emergence of new kinds of clowning in everyday life in Colombia, focusing particularly on the pervasive presence of clowns in the urban landscape of Bogota. In doing so it brings a fresh and updated perspective on what clowning is as well as what it does in the 21st century. Featuring descriptions of more than 24 distinct clown performers, Barnaby King provides an engaging and lively account of the performative moment in which clowning transpires, analyzing the techniques and processes at work in producing what is commonly named as \"clowning\". In contrast with their North American and European counterparts, clowns in Latin America are seen every day in public settings, are popular cultural figures and sometimes claim to exercise real political influence. Drawing on five years of co-performative ethnography, the book argues that clown artists have thrived by adapting their craft to changing social and economic conditions, in some cases by allying themselves with authority and power, and in others by generating spaces for creativity and resistance in adverse circumstances. By applying performance theory to clowning in a specific cultural context this is the first work to propose an appropriate scholarly response to the diversity and ingenuity of clowning beyond Europe and North America.\" Cover page 4.
Book
A Danish Fool at Elsinore? Some Thoughts on Hamlet 's Lost Clown
This article discusses the clowning element of a German version of Hamlet believed to date back to the time of Shakespeare. Der bestrafte Brudermord is noted as an adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy which incorporates a lot more low comedy than any extant version of Hamlet and provides opportunity for contemplating the reason why Hamlet has no explicit clown character. The article focuses especially on a character appearing very briefly in the German play, a rustic buffoon called Jens, and his affinity with the rustics and comic servants of other Shakespeare plays and other Elizabethan plays. It is particularly asserted that this role shows signs of the involvement of the clown Will Kemp at some stage of the writing of Hamlet , or of touring continental Europe with an adaptation of it that puts the clowning element at the forefront.
Journal Article
Clowning as a supportive measure in paediatrics - a survey of clowns, parents and nursing staff
Background
Hospital clowns, also known as clown doctors, can help paediatric patients with the stress of a hospitalization and to circumvent the accompanying feelings of fear, helplessness and sadness, thus supporting the healing process. The objectives of the present study were to clarify the structural and procedural conditions of paediatric clowning in Germany and to document the evaluations of hospital clowns, parents and hospital staff.
Methods
A nationwide online survey of hospital clowns currently active in paediatric departments and an accompanying field evaluation in Hamburg hospitals with surveys of parents and hospital staff were conducted. In addition to items developed specifically for the study regarding general conditions, procedures, assessments of effects and attitudes, the Work Satisfaction Scale was used. The sample included n = 87 hospital clowns, 37 parents and 43 hospital staff members.
Results
The online survey showed that the hospital clowns are well-trained, motivated and generally satisfied with their work. By their own estimate, they primarily boost morale and promote imagination in the patients. However, hospital clowns also desire better interdisciplinary collaboration and financial security as well as more recognition of their work. The Hamburg field study confirmed the positive results of the clown survey. According to the data, a clown intervention boosts morale and reduces stress in the patients. Moreover, there are practically no side effects. Both parents and hospital staff stated that the patients as well as they themselves benefited from the intervention.
Conclusions
The results match those of previous studies and give a very positive picture of hospital clowning, so that its routine use and expansion thereof can be recommended. Furthermore, the intervention should be subject to the rules of evidence-based medicine like other medical treatments.
Journal Article
Effects of clowning on anxiety, stress, pain, and hormonal markers in paediatric patients
Background
Clowning has been used in many hospitals, particularly for children. Studies suggest the effectiveness of this methodology, but more evidence is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a humour therapy intervention on biological markers, pain and anxiety levels in paediatric patients.
Methods
Three different clinical contexts were chosen to assess the effect of clowning interventions: patients who were subjected to venepuncture (group 1), patients undergoing general anesthesia for any cause (group 2)and patients hospitalized in the pediatric ward without distinction of their disease (group 3). Groups 1 and 2 were divided into control (C) and intervention (I) subgroups. A saliva sample was taken from all the children to measure oxytocin and cortisol levels by ELISAs. Validated scales and crying time were used to determine pain, stress, and anxiety levels. Children in group 3 were assessed before and after the intervention, employing the same methods.
Results
A total of 272 patients were included. The children in group 1 (
n
= 125) were 7.7 ± 3.2 years old, and 53.6% were females. 48% were in the I group, which showed decreased cortisol levels and increased oxytocin levels. The I group exhibited a decrease in perceived pain and crying time. The children in group 2 (
n
= 69) were aged 7.1 ± 3.5 years, and 36% were females. 51% were in the I group, which showed increased oxytocin levels and decreased cortisol levels, acute stress levels, perceived pain, and crying time. The children in group 3 (
n
= 78) were 8.6 ± 3.3 years old, and 54% of the children were females. There was an increase in oxytocin levels and a decrease in cortisol levels, stress levels and perceived pain following the intervention.
Conclusions
This study suggested that an intervention based on clowning is an effective strategy for decreasing pain, stress, and anxiety levels in paediatric patients in different clinical contexts. These findings support the implementation of humour therapy programs in paediatric units.
Journal Article
Do Clowns Really Taste Funny? An Investigation of the Relationship between Humor and Playfulness in Clown Doctors
Healthcare clowning represents a well-established method for relieving patients and their relatives of discomfort during hospitalization. Although studies concerning the effectiveness of this approach are increasing in number, state-of-the-art studies conducted to evaluate the psychological characteristics of clown doctors are scarce. In this cross-sectional study, a convenient sample of 210 clown doctors (143 females, 67 males) aged between 18 and 75 years (M = 47.34, SD = 12.31) completed a demographic questionnaire, the Comic Styles Markers, and the Short Measure for Adult Playfulness. The results demonstrated that clown doctors bring higher levels of fun, benevolent humor, and nonsense and a lower level of cynicism compared to the populace. Moreover, the participants with more experience tend to use less irony, sarcasm, and cynicism than those with less experience. Playfulness was primarily related to the lighter styles of humor, and specific differences between the Whiteface and the Auguste clown doctors were observed. The results are discussed with reference to previous studies conducted on groups of clown doctors.
Journal Article