[Humor therapy in the depressed elderly: results of an empirical study].
BACKGROUND
Positive effects of humor on older patients with depressive symptoms have been repeatedly reported. Empirical evidence, however, is rare. We investigated the effects of a standardized humor therapy group in a clinical context especially for older depressed patients.


METHODS
For this purpose, an experimental group with treatment (52 patients participating in the humor group) was compared to a control group with no specific treatment (38 patients); all 90 participants had clinical depressive symptoms according to ICD-10 classification. Questionnaires (among them GDS, SF-12, State-Trait Cheerfulness Inventory, Satisfaction with Life Scale) were administered at two time points (pre- and post-treatment).


RESULTS
From pre- to post-measurement, significant improvements could be shown only in the experimental group for resilience and satisfaction with life (p<0.05). Analyses of the subgroups with at least medium to severe depression showed further significant effects for cheerfulness, seriousness, bad mood, and satisfaction with life (p<0.05). These severely affected patients seemed to profit best from humor therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate the efficacy of this specific therapeutic intervention for older depressed patients.
Abteilung für Gerontopsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, LVR-Klinik Bonn, Kaiser-Karl-Ring 20, 53111, Bonn, Deutschland. r.hirsch@lvr.de
R D
RD
Hirsch
K
K
Junglas
B
B
Konradt
M F
MF
Jonitz
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D027641:Laughter Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic / Q000523:psychology*