Introduction
The function of humor in healthcare, especially in pain treatment, is thoroughly explored in the 1998 Journal of Holistic Nursing article “Humor in Pain Management: A Review of Current Literature” by Matz and Brown. This landmark study defines therapeutic humor, clarifies its theoretical foundations, and highlights its practical applicability in clinical settings (Matz & Brown, 1998). The authors provide helpful insights into how humor might be used as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve patient comfort and well-being by evaluating a wide range of research. This article paves the way for a more comprehensive approach to patient care by serving as a major resource for healthcare practitioners and scholars interested in the relationship between humor and health.
The Importance of Therapeutic Humor
Any intervention that fosters health and wellness by encouraging a playful discovery, expression, or enjoyment of the absurdity or incongruity of life’s events is referred to as therapeutic humor, an important idea in medicine. This can be accomplished through making others laugh, be amused, or feel joyful and content. It is a calculated tactic healthcare workers employ to build connections with patients, lighten the atmosphere, and lessen the tension in the medical setting (Matz & Brown, 1998). Therapeutic humor may be a powerful, non-pharmacological technique in healthcare, especially for treating pain, and it promotes patients’ overall health and well-being.
Relief Theory
Sigmund Freud’s relief hypothesis is among the most famous theories of comedy. Humor allows people to let go of psychological stress, get over their inhibitions, and express their emotions in a way that is acceptable to others. He thought that humor provided a suitable outlet for energy that was briefly saved, acting as a safety valve for the release of pent-up nervous energy. This idea, which emphasizes the psychological advantages of comedy, is frequently used in medical contexts. Here, comedy is purposefully employed as a coping strategy to reduce tension and stress, generating a more upbeat and laid-back setting beneficial to healing and rehabilitation (Matz & Brown, 1998).
The research of McCaffery, which is based on studies by Cogan, Cogan, Walz, and McCue, stands out as particularly relevant when looking at the area of humor as an adjudicative therapy for controlling pain (Matz & Brown, 1998). They found that comedy, functioning as a type of cognitive diversion, might successfully refocus patients’ attention away from their pain, therefore lowering their perception and experience of suffering.
Humor Assessment Tools
Various tools have been developed to evaluate a patient’s humor. These include the Situational Humor Response Questionnaire (SHRQ) and the Coping Humor Scale (CHS). The CHS is a seven-item self-report scale that assesses how often people use humor to deal with challenging circumstances (Matz & Brown, 1998). The SHRQ, on the other hand, is a 21-item scale that measures a person’s tendency to respond humorously to circumstances that arise in daily life.
Both instruments assess the use of humor, although they have different foci. The SHRQ evaluates the general humor reaction across a range of situations. In contrast, the CHS focuses more on humor as a coping tool (Matz & Brown, 1998). Therefore, the tool is best, depending on the particular circumstance and the comedy features that must be evaluated.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is increasing interest in applying therapeutic humor in medicine. It provides a non-intrusive, economical, and pleasant method for enhancing patient care and achieving better health results. Existing studies, such as those by Freud and McCaffery, give persuasive evidence of its usefulness in treating pain and enhancing patient well-being, even if additional study is required to fully understand and optimize its potential advantages. Laughter may be the greatest medicine, and as healthcare advances, incorporating therapeutic humor into practice offers a more all-encompassing approach to patient care.
Reference
Matz, A., & Brown, S. T. (1998). Humor and pain management: A review of current literature. Journal of holistic Nursing, 16(1), 68-75. Web.