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eCAM Advance Access originally published online on January 16, 2006
eCAM 2006 3(1):61-63; doi:10.1093/ecam/nek015
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© The Author (2006). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved
The online version of this article has been published under an open access model. Users are entitled to use, reproduce, disseminate, or display the open access version of this article for non-commercial purposes provided that: the original authorship is properly and fully attributed; the Journal and Oxford University Press are attributed as the original place of publication with the correct citation details given; if an article is subsequently reproduced or disseminated not in its entirety but only in part or as a derivative work this must be clearly indicated. For commercial re-use, please contact journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

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Humor and Laughter may Influence Health. I. History and Background

Mary Payne Bennett1 and Cecile A. Lengacher2

1Indiana State University College of Nursing IN, USA, and 2University of South Florida College of Nursing FL, USA

Articles in both the lay and professional literature have extolled the virtues of humor, many giving the impression that the health benefits of humor are well documented by the scientific and medical community. The concept that humor or laughter can be therapeutic goes back to biblical times and this belief has received varying levels of support from the scientific community at different points in its history. Current research indicates that using humor is well accepted by the public and is frequently used as a coping mechanism. However, the scientific evidence of the benefits of using humor on various health related outcomes still leaves many questions unanswered.

Keywords: Humor – Health

For reprints and all correspondence: Mary Payne Bennett, Indiana State University College of Nursing, IN, USA. Tel: 1-812-237-2320; Fax: 1-812-237-8895; E-mail: mbennett2{at}isugw.indstate.edu


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