Verification of the effect of watching a clown comedy video on the mind and body

Abstract

We examined the effects of viewing clown videos on physical functions and psychological conditions by comparing them with viewing landscapes videos. The subjects were seven healthy adult women and men. Each participant watched a clown and a landscape video at intervals of one to three weeks. The participants' mood evaluation, blood pressure, heart rate, autonomic nervous function and salivary amylase were compared before and after watching the videos, and the participants were asked for their impression of viewing the clown video. The salivary amylase was significantly lowered after viewing the clown video, and the depression-dejection and tension-anxiety of POMS 2 were also significantly reduced in five subjects who answered that “it was very fun” and “it was fun.” The anger-hostility and tension-anxiety of POMS 2 were significantly reduced after viewing the landscapes video. No changes in blood pressure, heart rate and autonomic nervous function were found after watching both videos The results suggested that the clowning expression was effective in relieving mood tension when it was positively felt as “fun” and was effective in reducing physical stress regardless of mood changes.