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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page research paper that investigates the use and benefits derived from humor therapy. Humor therapy is a part of complementary medicine, and is used to relieve physical or emotional pain, as well as decrease stress. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khhumt.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
laughter can actually cure an illness, its beneficial effects on the body are well documented (Making Treatment). The use of humor has been part of medicine throughout its recorded history.
For example, one of the earliest references to humors medicinal purposes is in the Book of Proverbs in the Bible (Making Treatment). Proverbs 17:22 reads: "A cheerful heart is
a good medicine, but a downcast spirit drives up the bones" (Wells). As early as the thirteenth century, records show that surgeons used humor to distract patients from the
pain of surgery (Making Treatment). Modern humor therapy can be traced to the 1930s, which is when hospitals brought in clowns to cheer up the children hospitalized with polio (Wells).
In general, the use of humor has been shown to improve "physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health," so is, therefore, appropriate within a variety of clinical situations, but it
is considered particularly appropriate for the young and the elderly (Wells). Researchers Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California have been studying the
physiological effects of laughter on the human body (Therapeutic Benefits). Their work that a good belly laugh has the direct opposite effect on the human body as stress, as it
decreases blood pressure as well as reducing the level of stress hormones while increasing muscle flexion and boosting the immune system (Therapeutic Benefits). Furthermore, laughter causes the release of endorphins,
which not only are natural painkillers, but also induce a general feeling of well-being (Therapeutic Benefits). A study published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing indicated that surgery patients who
were told one-liner jokes had a reduced perception of pain as compared to patients who were not exposed to humor (Therapeutic Benefits). As this information comes from an empirical research
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