[Humour therapy, laughter and the intervention of clowns in gerontology]

Anne Lelièvre; Stéphane Gérard; Sophie Hermabessière; Monique Martinez; Bruno Péran; Yves Rolland

doi:10.1016/j.sger.2018.01.008

[Humour therapy, laughter and the intervention of clowns in gerontology]

Soins Gerontol. 2018 Mar-Apr;23(130):37-43. doi: 10.1016/j.sger.2018.01.008.

[Article in French]

Authors

Anne Lelièvre¹, Stéphane Gérard², Sophie Hermabessière², Monique Martinez³, Bruno Péran³, Yves Rolland⁴

Affiliations

¹ Gérontopôle, CHU de Toulouse, Hôpital Garonne, 224 avenue de Casselardit, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France. Electronic address: lelievre.a@chu-toulouse.fr.
² CHU de Toulouse, Hôpital Garonne, 224 avenue de Casselardit, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
³ Université de Toulouse Jean-Jaurès, 5 allée Antonio-Machado, 31058 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
⁴ Gérontologie clinique et médecine, CHU de Toulouse, Cité de la Santé, Hôpital le Grave, 20 rue du Pont-Saint-Pierre, 31052 Toulouse, France.

PMID: 29530289
DOI: 10.1016/j.sger.2018.01.008

Abstract

Confronted with the growing incidence of age-related pathologies and the limits of so-called traditional medicine oriented towards the prescribing of medicines, non-pharmacological approaches have grown considerably in the geriatric community. A literature review focused on the therapeutic benefit of humour, laughter and the use of clowns on the physical and psychological health of elderly people.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; clown; geriatrics; gériatrie; humour; laughter; maladie d’Alzheimer; rire; therapy; thérapie.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Geriatrics*
Humans
Laughter Therapy*
Treatment Outcome