Therapeutic clown, an alternative in the Geriatrics ward

Authors

  • Vivian Díaz de Villegas Reguera Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Universitario "Arnaldo Milián Castro"
  • Saraday Medina Díaz de Villegas Centro Provincial de la Música y los Espectáculos, Villa Clara
  • Jercys Subyen Iglesias Toriza Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Universitario "Arnaldo Milián Castro" http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7526-7621

Keywords:

aged, therapeutic clown, laughter therapy, complementary therapies

Abstract

Introduction: Therapeutic clowns, as main protagonists, play an important role in the acceptance, understanding, joy, relaxation, good humor, security and positive emotional changes of geriatric patients and help to reduce their anxiety levels. Objective: To assess the influence of the therapeutic clown as an alternative method for improving the health of patients admitted to the Geriatric ward. Method: A descriptive longitudinal and observational investigation was conducted. It included the patients admitted to the Geriatric ward of the Arnaldo Milián Castro Hospital from March 1, 2016 to February 28, 2017. Patients whose condition did not allow interaction with the clown were excluded, as well as those with a hospital stay less than five days. Results: Reactions to the clown were positive (98.93%) and negative (1.07%) in eight psychiatric patients (the clown was immediately removed to avoid apathy). Conclusions: the therapeutic clown is an experience accepted by patients, adequate communication was achieved with the elderly people admitted, the smile and expressions of joy were the predominant emotional reactions, it contributed to the improvement of the patients' health and there was a better relationship with the health team that assist them.

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Author Biographies

Vivian Díaz de Villegas Reguera, Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Universitario "Arnaldo Milián Castro"

Especialista de I Grado en Medicina General Integral. Especialista de II Grado en Geriatría y Gerontología. Máster en longevidad satisfactoria. Profesora Asistente de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara.

Saraday Medina Díaz de Villegas, Centro Provincial de la Música y los Espectáculos, Villa Clara

Licenciada en Educación

Jercys Subyen Iglesias Toriza, Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Universitario "Arnaldo Milián Castro"

Licenciada en Rehabilitación Social y Ocupacional. Máster en longevidad satisfactoria. Profesora Asistente de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara.

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Published

2019-06-05

How to Cite

1.
Díaz de Villegas Reguera V, Medina Díaz de Villegas S, Iglesias Toriza JS. Therapeutic clown, an alternative in the Geriatrics ward. Acta Méd Centro [Internet]. 2019 Jun. 5 [cited 2025 Aug. 2];13(3):428-34. Available from: https://revactamedicacentro.sld.cu/index.php/amc/article/view/1106

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2019): July-September

Section

Comunications

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