ABSTRACT
The presence of clowns in health care settings is a program used in many countries to reduce distress in children who are undergoing surgery. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of the presence of clowns on children's distress and maladaptive behaviours while in hospital for minor surgery. The sample consisted of 61 pediatric patients (aged 3-12 years) undergoing general anesthesia for minor surgery. Participants were assigned to two groups: experimental and control group. The child's distress was assessed using FAS (Facial Affective Scale). Postoperative maladaptive behaviors were evaluated one week after surgery, using the PHBQ (Post-Hospital Behavior Questionnaire). Our results suggest that clowns are not able to reduce the child's level of distress. However, postoperative maladaptive behaviours in the experimental group decreased, but the decrease was not statistically significant. Further research is needed to determine the effects of clowns in hospitals, taking into account age, sex, parents' presence, and diverse hospital settings.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Child Behavior Disorders/prevention & control , Child, Hospitalized/psychology , Laughter Therapy , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Psychology, Child , Stress, Psychological/prevention & control , Surgical Procedures, Operative , Age Factors , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/etiology , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Child, Preschool , Fear , Female , Humans , Laughter Therapy/adverse effects , Male , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Postoperative Complications/psychology , Stress, Psychological/etiology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
La intervención de los payasos en el ámbito hospitalario es un programa para disminuir el malestar psicológico que conlleva la hospitalización infantil que se ha ido implantando en España y en otros países. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar el efecto de la intervención de los payasos de hospital sobre el malestar psicológico y las conductas desadaptativas de los niños y niñas que van a ser operados. La muestra la componen 61 niños y niñas de 3 a 12 años, sometidos a intervenciones programadas de cirugía menor, y que fueron asignados al grupo experimental y control. El malestar psicológico del niño/a se evaluó utilizando la escala FAS (Facial Affective Scale). Los comportamientos desadaptativos producidos después de la cirugía se registraron utilizando el PHBQ (Post Hospital Behavior Questionnaire). Nuestros resultados indican que los payasos de hospital no fueron eficaces para reducir el nivel de malestar psicológico. Las conductas desadaptativas de los niños y niñas en el grupo experimental disminuyeron después de la operación, aunque no alcanzaron la significación. Es necesario realizar más estudios que determinen los efectos de los payasos de hospital, teniendo en cuenta la edad, el sexo, la presencia de los padres y los diferentes contextos de hospitalización (AU)
The presence of clowns in health care settings is a program used in many countries to reduce distress in children who are undergoing surgery. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of the presence of clowns on childrens distress and maladaptive behaviours while in hospital for minor surgery. The sample consisted of 61 pediatric patients (aged 3-12 years) undergoing general anesthesia for minor surgery. Participants were assigned to two groups: experimental and control group. The childs distress was assessed using FAS (Facial Affective Scale). Postoperative maladaptive behaviors were evaluated one week after surgery, using the PHBQ (Post-Hospital Behavior Questionnaire). Our results suggest that clowns are not able to reduce the childs level of distress. However, postoperative maladaptive behaviours in the experimental group decreased, but the decrease was not statistically significant. Further research is needed to determine the effects of clowns in hospitals, taking into account age, sex, parents presence, and diverse hospital settings (AU)
