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Id 85
Author Sridharan, K.; Sivaramakrishnan, G.
Title Therapeutic clowns in pediatrics: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Reference
Sridharan, K., & Sivaramakrishnan, G. (2016). Therapeutic clowns in pediatrics: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European journal of pediatrics, 175(10), 1353-1360.

Link to article https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-016-2764-0
Abstract Children and/or their parents are in fear and anxiety when admitted to hospitals or undergo invasive surgeries or investigations. Clown therapy has been shown as an effective measure in reducing this hospital fear and anxiety. Hence, we carried out a systematic compilation of the existing evidence on the clinical utility of hospital clowns in pediatric population. Electronic databases were searched with an appropriate search strategy, and only randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of clown therapy with standard care in children were included. The key outcome measures were as follows: extent of anxiety and pain felt by children and extent of state and trait parental anxiety. Random effect model was applied when moderate to severe heterogeneity was observed. Forest plot, I2 statistics and risk of bias were evaluated using RevMan 5.3 software. A total of 19 studies were found eligible to be included in the systematic review and 16 for meta-analysis. The pooled SMD 95 % CI for child anxiety score was −0.83 −1.16, −0.51 favoring clown therapy. Similarly, a statistically significant reduction {SMD 95 % CI −0.46 −0.7, −0.21 } in the state anxiety was observed amongst parents.

Results:


Summary:



adverse psychological and behavioral changes such as eur j pediatr decrease in childrens self-esteem and emotional well- being increased anxiety sleep disturbances and social isolation have been observed not only during hospital stay but also in % of children -year post-discharge from pediatric intensive care unit . the corresponding authors of these studies were sent an electronic communication requesting for the details but did not respond. good communication between healthcare staff and children as well as their parents is an essential support to be offered to ease stress in parents whose child is admitted in pediatric wards . a pilot study amongst disabled children observed that a more positive and fewer nega- tive facial expressions and emotional disturbances dur- ing the clown intervention . hospital clowning is an interdisciplinary art with a wide variety of multiple skills such as humor drama music and dance due to which a beneficial therapeutic impact have been noted in patients


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