Viewing humorous film improves nighttime wakening in children with atopic dermatitis.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patients with atopic dermatitis suffered from night-time wakening, but the exact mechanism of it was not known. Ghrelin was involved in growth hormone secretion, regulation of appetite, anxiety,night-time wakening and stress. METHODS: Thus salivary ghreli levels during the night were measured in 40 healthy children or 40 patients with atopic dermatitis with night-time wakening. Salivary ghrelin levels at 0200 h were markedly elevated in patients with atopic dermatitis compared to those in healthy children. RESULTS: Neither viewing control non-humorous film nor viewing humorous film had any effect on healthy children. In contrast, viewing humorous film improved night-time wakening and reduced elevation of salivary ghrelin levels in patients with atopic dermatitis, while viewing control film failed to do so. CONCLUSION: Viewing humorous film may be useful in the treatment of night-time wakening in patients with atopic dermatitis.