Efficacy and feasibility of a humor training for people suffering from depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Humor trainings have positive effects on mental health and well-being. However, studies investigating the effects of humor trainings in clinical samples are still rare. This study investigated the efficacy and feasibility of a humor training for people suffering from depression, anxiety and adjustment disorders. METHODS: Based on a diagnostic interview (SCID I and II), 37 people were randomized into a training (n = 19) or wait list control group (n = 18) and completed questionnaires at pre, post, and 1 month follow-up. After the training group had completed its training and evaluation measures, the wait list control group received the training and the outcomes of the group were additionally evaluated (post2 and follow-up2). RESULTS: After training, improvements in humor-related outcomes were observed for the training group, but these were relativized when compared to the wait list control group. Secondary outcomes remained unaffected by the training. In addition, the training group reported interpersonal difficulties. Within-group analyses of the wait list control group after completion of their training showed effects on almost all primary and secondary outcomes and feedback indicated a better atmosphere. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the different outcomes of the two groups are surprising and can show potential moderators of efficacy, such as interpersonal and group-specific climate variables. Since moderators of humor trainings in clinical samples have not been investigated at all, future studies should consider integrating them into their design. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register ( DRKS00012443 ) on May 16, 2017.

The effects of three positive psychology interventions using online diaries: A randomized-placebo controlled trial.

Three positive psychology interventions (coping humor, three funny things, three good things) were compared with a placebo control condition (early memories) in a randomized placebo-controlled online trial. A total of 182 healthy participants participated in a one week web-based diary study and completed evaluation measures at pre, post, and one month follow-up. They were recruited via e-mail and have been primarily students. Primary outcomes have been happiness and depressive symptoms, secondary outcomes coping humor, cheerfulness (and its subscales), and subjective perceived change. The intention-to-treat analysis (ITT) using linear mixed models could not replicate the positive effects of past research. When compared to the control condition, only the coping humor intervention influenced primary outcomes (r = 0.24-0.29). Three funny things and three good things had no effects at all. Secondary outcomes showed only isolated effects, so that no uniform effect pattern was found for the interventions. Reasons for the small effects, such as motivation and psychosocial status of the participants, as well as recommendations for future studies are discussed.

Feasibility of a Humor Training to Promote Humor and Decrease Stress in a Subclinical Sample: A Single-Arm Pilot Study.

The present study investigates the feasibility of a humor training for a subclinical sample suffering from increased stress, depressiveness, or anxiety. Based on diagnostic interviews, 35 people were invited to participate in a 7-week humor training. Evaluation measures were filled in prior training, after training, and at a 1-month follow-up including humor related outcomes (coping humor and cheerfulness) and mental health-related outcomes (perceived stress, depressiveness, anxiety, and well-being). Outcomes were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVAs. Within-group comparisons of intention-to-treat analysis showed main effects of time with large effect sizes on all outcomes. Post hoc tests showed medium to large effect sizes on all outcomes from pre to post and results remained stable until follow-up. Satisfaction with the training was high, attrition rate low (17.1%), and participants would highly recommend the training. Summarizing the results, the pilot study showed promising effects for people suffering from subclinical symptoms. All outcomes were positively influenced and showed stability over time. Humor trainings could be integrated more into mental health care as an innovative program to reduce stress whilst promoting also positive emotions. However, as this study was a single-arm pilot study, further research (including also randomized controlled trials) is still needed to evaluate the effects more profoundly.