Clown doctors prescribed to boost mood in mystery illness study

NCT ID NCT07007013

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether attending weekly humor therapy sessions led by professional 'clown doctors' can improve emotional well-being in adults with medically unexplained symptoms (symptoms with no clear medical cause). 28 participants will attend 8 group sessions over 8 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in well-being before and after the program.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

humor therapy (clown doctor group sessions)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a low-cost, enjoyable way to improve emotional well-being for people with medically unexplained symptoms.

What could go wrong

This is a very small study (28 people) with no control group, so results may not be reliable or generalizable. The effect of humor is hard to measure objectively.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Medically Unexplained Symptoms

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • CAPI Baix A Mar (CSAPG)

    Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona, 08800, Spain