The Effects of a Humor Intervention on the Physiological, Physical, and Psychological Responses of School-aged Children With Atopic Dermatitis in South Korea: A Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We examined the effects of a humor intervention on the physiological, physical, and psychological responses of school-aged children with atopic dermatitis. DESIGN AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study used a nonequivalent control group and a pre- and post-test design. Forty-five schoolchildren participated. RESULTS: Children in the experimental group (n=26) received a humor intervention and reported significant differences in physiological response, which was evidenced by heightened salivary immunoglobulin A levels as compared to the control group (n=19). Additionally, the psychological response of the experimental group was significantly different from that of the control group as evidenced by decreased stress levels. CONCLUSION: Humor intervention may be an effective nursing intervention for children with atopic dermatitis.