The Use of Humor in Palliative Care: A Systematic Literature Review

Pinna, Miguel Ángel Cuervo; Mahtani-Chugani, Vinita; Correas, M.; Rubiales, Álvaro Sanz

doi:10.1177/1049909118764414

Cited by 93 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…A total of 465 articles were identified. After reading the title, abstract and complete article, 17 articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected for final revision (Figure 1) (2)(3)(6)(7)(9)(10)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Qualitative studies (2,9,(15)(16)(17)22) , mixed (21) , narrative revisions (10,19,(23)(24)(25) , integrative (6) , systematic (3) , meta-synthesis (7,20) and concept analysis (18) were included.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These articles were published as follows: two in 2008 (19,24) , two in 2013 (6,18) , five in 2014 (9)(10)(16)(17)23) , two in 2015 (2,15) , four in 2016 (3,(20)(21)(22) and two in 2018 (7,25) .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On what concerns country of origin, they were from Australia (9,15,23) , United States of America (USA) (17,19) , Spain (25) , United Kingdom (UK) (10,16,18,20,24) and Portugal (2)(3)(6)(7)(21)(22) .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The articles present the definition of humor in nursing (2)(3)(6)(7)(21)(22) and its use in several contexts (3,(6)(7)(9)(10)15,20,24) , or in a specific context such as the perioperative period (19) , in people with dementia (17) , in palliative care (25) , in people with cancer (16,18) , in the context of orthopedics (2,22) , and in people undergoing hemodialysis (21,23) .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Humor intervention in the nurse-patient interaction

et al. 2019

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Objective: To describe the factors influencing the use of humor in nursing care, its applicability and benefits. Method: A scoping review was performed using the Arksey and O’Mally methodology. A search for articles published between 2008 and 2018 was performed using the platforms EBSCO Host, Virtual Health Library and Google Scholar. Results: From the initial 465 articles found, 17 were included for final revision. Data allowed to retrieve information on humor definition; its applicability as a nursing intervention; humor as a tool to improve nurse-patient communication and relationship; influence factors; type of humor interventions; humor benefits in health care context and; limitations and precautions of humor intervention. Conclusion: The use of humor promotes both communication and human interaction; it promotes well-being; helps deal/cope with difficult and unpleasant situations, reduces tension, discomfort and stress; and strengthens the immune system. This intervention should be used with caution.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Humor intervention in the nurse-patient interaction

et al. 2019

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The use of banter in psychotherapy: A systematic literature review

Brooks

Herrmann

Andreas

2020

Couns and Psychother Res

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The idea that humour can be used in psychotherapy for healing experiences has gained wider acknowledgement in the psychotherapeutic literature over recent decades. Norcross and Lambert (2018), in particular, have identified therapeutic humour as a promising interpersonal construct for psychotherapy. Martin and Ford (2018) reported on the different approaches that have been taken to use humour in psychotherapy and broadly identified three areas: humour as therapy, specific therapeutic approaches and humour as a communication skill. Firstly, two therapies rely on both exaggeration and sarcasm to challenge patients. Rational-emotive therapy (Ellis & Grieger, 1986) aims to replace false beliefs, and the goal of provocative therapy (Farrelly & Lynch, 1987) is to provoke emotional responses that lead to changes in perceptions and actions.Secondly, with regard to specific therapeutic approaches, humour has been used successfully to replace progressive muscle relaxation in systematic desensitisation (Smith, 1973;Ventis, 1973).Although humour has been used as a basis to paradoxically and playfully exaggerate symptoms (Frankl, 1960;Witztum et al., 1999), one author reported that this effect is dependent on clients having low humour scores (Newton & Dowd, 1990).

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The Efficacy of Laughter Therapy on Psychological Symptoms in People With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

Lin,

Yang,

Wang

et al. 2024

Psycho-Oncology

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ObjectiveCancer patients generally have high stress levels, which often leads to depression, anxiety and other psychological problems. Laughter therapy has been used to relieve stress, depression and anxiety in cancer patients, but its efficacy is uncertain. The study aims to summarize evidence on the efficacy of laughter therapy on psychological symptoms of people with cancer.MethodsA search was conducted in 10 electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported before May 2023. This systematic review was reported based on the PRISMA 2020 statement. The evaluation of methodological quality and risk of biases were conducted by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool version 2, and evidence evaluation was conducted using the GRADE pro online assessment tool. Statistical analysis adopted the Review Manager version 5.4 software.ResultsA total of eight studies were included involving 543 participants. Meta‐analysis showed that laughter therapy plus routine nursing produced more positive effects than routine nursing in relieving stress (SMD = −1.18, 95% CI −1.73, −0.62, p < 0.0001), depression (SMD = −1.05, 95% CI −1.30, −0.81, p < 0.00001) and anxiety (SMD = −0.81, 95% CI −1.20, −0.43, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsLaughter therapy could effectively relieve stress, depression and anxiety of cancer patients. Future studies should improve the methodological quality of randomized controlled trials, conduct appropriate follow‐up, and report details of follow‐up. Additionally, it should perform multi‐center and large‐sample studies, and combine both subjective and objective outcome indications to enhance the persuasiveness of evidence supporting the effectiveness of laughter therapy.Trial Registration: PROSPERO register: CRD 42023452739

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The Use of Humor in Palliative Care: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract: Humor plays an unquestionable role in palliative care, but its use needs training and appropriate use.

Cited by 93 publications

References 49 publications

Humor intervention in the nurse-patient interaction

Humor intervention in the nurse-patient interaction

The use of banter in psychotherapy: A systematic literature review

The Efficacy of Laughter Therapy on Psychological Symptoms in People With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

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