Patients’ Evaluation of Intervention by a Medical Clown Visit or by Viewing a Humorous Film Following In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

Shevach Friedler, Saralee Glasser, Gila Levitan, Dana Hadar, Bat El Sasi, Liat Lerner-Geva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study compared responses to an in-person clown visit and a humorous film following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Intervention was a 10-minute clown visit (n = 101) or 10-minute humorous video clip (n = 99). Demographic and fertility-related data and preintervention anxiety scores were collected. Participants completed an Evaluation of Intervention form postintervention. There were no group differences on demographic or fertility-related data or anxiety scores. Findings indicate while participants viewed the intervention positively, the clown visit offered a higher degree of satisfaction in more patients than did the film. Median evaluation scores were significantly higher for the clown visit, specifically reducing anxiety level and being more distracting. Both groups reported that the exposure made the clinic experience more pleasant and did not bother them, and most would recommend incorporating the intervention in routine treatment. However, free-text comments clearly expressed greater enthusiasm to the in-person clown intervention than to the film.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)47-53
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2017

Keywords

  • in vitro fertilization
  • medical clown
  • psychological distress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Complementary and alternative medicine

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