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Clowns ease anxiety in young patients -study
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-03 15:27 A clown in the operating room may relax anxious
children who are about to undergo surgery, but the entertainer has to learn to
keep out of the way, Italian researchers said on Monday.
A study of 40 children between 4 months and 3 years old who were accompanied
by at least one parent prior to minor surgery found having a clown present
significantly reduced anxiety levels for both child and parent. Three out of
five children suffer anxiety before surgery, according to the report published
in the journal Paediatrics.
Clowns succeeded in distracting the children until the administration of
anaesthesia, but apparently annoyed doctors and nurses.
"The questionnaire for health professionals indicated that the clowns were a
benefit to the child, but the majority of staff was opposed to continuing the
program because of perceived interference with the procedures of the operating
room," wrote study author Laura Vagnoli of Anna Meyer Children's Hospital in
Florence.
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