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Adamczyk P, Biczak J, Kotlarska K, Daren A, Cichocki Ł. On the specificity of figurative language comprehension impairment in schizophrenia and its relation to cognitive skills but not psychopathological symptoms - Study on metaphor, humor and irony. Schizophr Res Cogn 2024; 35:100294. [PMID: 37928747 PMCID: PMC10624582 DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2023.100294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
People with schizophrenia have difficulty understanding figurative expressions, such as metaphors, humor or irony. The present study investigated the specificity of figurative language impairment in schizophrenia and its relation with cognitive and psychotic symptoms. It included 54 schizophrenia and 54 age and sex-matched healthy subjects who performed a cognitive screening (ACE-III) and figurative language comprehension task consisting of 60 short stories with three types of endings: a figurative one and its literal and an absurd (meaningless) counterparts. Each figurative domain - metaphor, humor, irony - was split into two sub-domains, i.e., conventional and novel metaphors, intended-to-be-funny and social-norm-violation jokes, simple irony and critical sarcasm, respectively. The main findings are: i) in schizophrenia, figurative language deficit manifests itself in each domain; ii) the most pronounced subdomain-specific impairment has been found for novel vs conventional metaphors and irony vs sarcasm; iii) altered figurative language comprehension was related to diminished cognitive abilities but not to psychopathology symptoms (PANSS) or other clinical characteristics. This may suggest that figurative language impairment, as a specific part of communication deficit, may be regarded as an essential characteristic of schizophrenia, related to primary cognitive deficits but independent of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Artur Daren
- Faculty of Psychology, Pedagogy, and Humanities, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Łukasz Cichocki
- Babinski Clinical Hospital, Krakow, Poland
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University, Krakow, Poland
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2
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Mayseless N, Reiss AL. The neurodevelopmental basis of humor appreciation: A fNIRS study of young children. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259422. [PMID: 34879055 PMCID: PMC8654164 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Humor is crucial for social development. Despite this, very few studies have examined the neurodevelopment of humor in very young children, and none to date have used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to study this important cognitive construct. The main aim of the current study was to characterize the neural basis of humor processing in young children between the ages of 6–8 years. Thirty-five healthy children (6–8 years old) watched funny and neutral video clips while undergoing fNIRS imaging. We observed activation increases in left temporo-occipito-parietal junction (TOPJ), inferior-parietal lobe (IPL), dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and superior parietal lobe (SPL) regions. Activation in left TOPJ was positively correlated with age. In addition, we found that coherence increased in humor viewing compared to neutral content, mainly between remote regions. This effect was different for boys and girls, as boys showed a more pronounced increase in coherence for funny compared to neutral videos, more so in frontoparietal networks. These results expand our understanding of the neurodevelopment of humor by highlighting the effect of age on the neural basis of humor appreciation as well as emphasizing different developmental trajectories of boys and girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naama Mayseless
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Allan L. Reiss
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
- Departments of Radiology and Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
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3
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Adamczyk P, Jáni M, Ligeza TS, Płonka O, Błądziński P, Wyczesany M. On the Role of Bilateral Brain Hypofunction and Abnormal Lateralization of Cortical Information Flow as Neural Underpinnings of Conventional Metaphor Processing Impairment in Schizophrenia: An fMRI and EEG Study. Brain Topogr 2021; 34:537-554. [PMID: 33973137 PMCID: PMC8195899 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-021-00849-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Figurative language processing (e.g. metaphors) is commonly impaired in schizophrenia. In the present study, we investigated the neural activity and propagation of information within neural circuits related to the figurative speech, as a neural substrate of impaired conventional metaphor processing in schizophrenia. The study included 30 schizophrenia outpatients and 30 healthy controls, all of whom were assessed with a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) punchline-based metaphor comprehension task including literal (neutral), figurative (metaphorical) and nonsense (absurd) endings. The blood oxygenation level-dependent signal was recorded with 3T MRI scanner and direction and strength of cortical information flow in the time course of task processing was estimated with a 64-channel EEG input for directed transfer function. The presented results revealed that the behavioral manifestation of impaired figurative language in schizophrenia is related to the hypofunction in the bilateral fronto-temporo-parietal brain regions (fMRI) and various differences in effective connectivity in the fronto-temporo-parietal circuit (EEG). Schizophrenia outpatients showed an abnormal pattern of connectivity during metaphor processing which was related to bilateral (but more pronounced at the left hemisphere) hypoactivation of the brain. Moreover, we found reversed lateralization patterns, i.e. a rightward-shifted pattern during metaphor processing in schizophrenia compared to the control group. In conclusion, the presented findings revealed that the impairment of the conventional metaphor processing in schizophrenia is related to the bilateral brain hypofunction, which supports the evidence on reversed lateralization of the language neural network and the existence of compensatory recruitment of alternative neural circuits in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Adamczyk
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Martin Jáni
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060, Kraków, Poland.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomasz S Ligeza
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060, Kraków, Poland
| | - Olga Płonka
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Błądziński
- Community Psychiatry and Psychosis Research Center, Chair of Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Miroslaw Wyczesany
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060, Kraków, Poland
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4
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Jáni M, Płonka O, Daren A, Błądziński P, Kalisz A, Wyczesany M, Adamczyk P. The neural substrates of diminished humor comprehension in schizophrenia and its relationship with psychopathology. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2021. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2021-017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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5
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Berger P, Bitsch F, Falkenberg I. Humor in Psychiatry: Lessons From Neuroscience, Psychopathology, and Treatment Research. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:681903. [PMID: 34122193 PMCID: PMC8193079 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.681903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Humor is a ubiquitous human characteristic that is socially motivated at its core and has a broad range of significant positive effects on emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships. Simultaneously, however, impairments in humor abilities have often been described in close association with the occurrence and course of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, social anxiety, or depression. In the past decade, research in the neuroimaging and psychiatric domain has substantially progressed to (i) characterize impaired humor as an element of psychopathology, and (ii) shed light on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the role of humor in neuropsychiatric diseases. However, (iii) targeted interventions using concepts of positive psychology have revealed first evidence that a systematic training and/or a potential reactivation of humor-related skills can improve rehabilitative outcome in neuropsychiatric patient groups. Here, we sought to integrate evidence from neuroscience, as well as from psychopathology and treatment research to shed more light on the role of humor in psychiatry. Based on these considerations, we provide directions for future research and application in mental health services, focusing on the question of how our scientific understanding of humor can provide the basis for psychological interventions that foster positive attitudes and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Berger
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Florian Bitsch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Irina Falkenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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6
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Daren A, Adamczyk P, Błądziński P, Cechnicki A. Humor perception in schizophrenia appears to be related to disorganization syndrome. Compr Psychiatry 2020; 96:152149. [PMID: 31786489 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.152149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Perception of humor seems to be often disturbed in schizophrenia, yet current literature is limited and ambiguous on its relationship to psychopathology. A sample of 40 schizophrenia-diagnosed subjects provided humor comprehension and funniness ratings for 60 cartoons and 60 stories with funny, neutral and absurd punchlines. Disorganization syndrome was found to associate with deficits in humor comprehension and experienced funniness in non-humorous stimuli after controlling for cognitive performance, age, sex and medication. The findings are discussed in relation to previous studies on the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Daren
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Chair of Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Przemysław Adamczyk
- Psychophysiology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Błądziński
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Chair of Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrzej Cechnicki
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Chair of Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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7
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Tu PC, Su TP, Lin WC, Chang WC, Bai YM, Li CT, Lin FH. Reduced synchronized brain activity in schizophrenia during viewing of comedy movies. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12738. [PMID: 31484998 PMCID: PMC6726596 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48957-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous evaluation of brain function in schizophrenia has focused on standard experimental tasks, with cerebral response to natural stimuli less clear. This study employed inter-subject correlation (ISC) analysis to investigate the neural basis of humor processing during free viewing of comedy movies in patients with schizophrenia. We recruited 29 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 29 healthy, age- and sex-matched controls. Each participant underwent fMRI scanning during two viewings of three comedy movie clips. The ISC map from each participant pair within each population group and each movie viewing was separately derived. The significance of ISC within a group and between two groups were assessed by bootstrapping. The ISC map from each patient pair were also correlated with the product of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) rating between the same participant pair in schizophrenia patients. Schizophrenia patients showed significant ISC in bilateral lateraloccipital, bilateral superior frontal, left supramarginal, and right lateralorbiofrontal cortices. Compared with the controls, the schizophrenia group exhibited significantly lower ISC in the left superior temporal sulcus, bilateral supramarginal, and bilateral inferiorparietal cortices. Higher clinical severity (higher total PANSS rating) was associated with lower ISC in the middle frontal and middle temporal regions, and also higher ISC in the visual cortex, inferior temporal gyrus, and anterior cingulate. The findings indicated that patients with schizophrenia are characterized by lower ISC in a frontal parietal network while viewing comedy film clips, which implicated a deficit in the cognitive component of humor processing. The lower synchronization in parts of the frontal parietal network also correlated with symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chi Tu
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,Institute of Philosophy of Mind and Cognition, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Ping Su
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chen Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Chen Chang
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Mei Bai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ta Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fa-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland.
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8
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Dynamics of impaired humour processing in schizophrenia - An EEG effective connectivity study. Schizophr Res 2019; 209:113-128. [PMID: 31103215 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Specific language and communication abilities, such as humour comprehension, are commonly impaired in schizophrenia. The present study investigates the dynamics of the humour-related neural network underlying this deficit. Specifically, we focused on the abnormalities of information flow in schizophrenia within the fronto-temporo-parietal circuit. We estimated the direction and strength of cortical information flow in the time course of humour processing by the EEG Directed Transfer Function. The study included 40 schizophrenia outpatients and 40 healthy controls (age-sex-education matched) assessed with an EEG punchline-based humour comprehension task (written and cartoon jokes). The linear mixed models procedure was used to test group effects across three processes: 1. incongruity detection, 2. incongruity resolution and elaboration, 3. complete humour processing. Conjunction maps for both types of jokes were created to investigate fundamental between-group differences, beyond the context of modality. Clinical subjects indicated a lower level of understanding of the funny punchlines, indicated absurd punchlines as more understandable and gave higher funniness ratings to both absurd and neutral punchlines. The EEG effective connectivity results revealed that humour processing in schizophrenia engages alternative circuits, exhibiting a pronounced abnormal leftward shifted lateralization related to diminished activity of the right hemisphere in fronto-temporo-parietal regions. In conclusion, the present paper presents the dynamics of cortical propagation of information in the humour-related circuit as a neural substrate of humour impairment in schizophrenia.
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9
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10
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Zhao J, Yin H, Zhang G, Li G, Shang B, Wang C, Chen L. A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials of laughter and humour interventions on depression, anxiety and sleep quality in adults. J Adv Nurs 2019; 75:2435-2448. [PMID: 30882915 DOI: 10.1111/jan.14000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Huiru Yin
- School of Nursing Jinlin University Jilin China
| | | | - Guichen Li
- School of Nursing Jinlin University Jilin China
| | | | | | - Li Chen
- School of Nursing Jinlin University Jilin China
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11
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Liu BH, Huang J, Shan HD, Liu YF, Lui SSY, Cheung EFC, Yue XD, Chan RCK. Humour processing deficits in individuals with social anhedonia. Psychiatry Res 2019; 275:345-350. [PMID: 30954845 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Humour processing comprises the humour comprehension and the humour appreciation phases. Patients with schizophrenia have impaired humour processing. However, it is unclear whether such deficits affect subclinical populations such as individuals with social anhedonia. Our study recruited forty-eight individuals with high levels of social anhedonia (HSA, screened by the Revised Chapman Social Anhedonia Scale) and 50 individuals with low levels of social anhedonia (LSA). Participants completed behavioural tasks which tapped into humour comprehension and appreciation, and a set of questionnaires assessing their sense of humour, humour styles and subjective experiential pleasure. Using signal detection theory analysis, the d' and β values were generated to measure the detection of humour signal in the comprehension phase and the inner criteria of the humour appreciation respectively. The results showed that the HSA and LSA groups did not differ in humour signal detection (d') but the HSA group had significantly higher inner criteria of humour appreciation (β) than the LSA group. The β value was correlated with experiential anticipatory pleasure in all participants. The HSA group had significantly lower within-group coherence than the LSA group when processing humour. Our findings suggested that individuals with social anhedonia have impaired humour processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Hui Liu
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Huang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Hai-di Shan
- Translational Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Shanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Fei Liu
- Translational Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Shanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Simon S Y Lui
- Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
| | - Eric F C Cheung
- Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Yue
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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12
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Tagalidou N, Distlberger E, Loderer V, Laireiter AR. Efficacy and feasibility of a humor training for people suffering from depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19:93. [PMID: 30894148 PMCID: PMC6425626 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nektaria Tagalidou
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Eva Distlberger
- 0000000110156330grid.7039.dDepartment of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Viola Loderer
- 0000000110156330grid.7039.dDepartment of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anton-Rupert Laireiter
- 0000000110156330grid.7039.dDepartment of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria ,0000 0001 2286 1424grid.10420.37Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria
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Berger P, Bitsch F, Nagels A, Straube B, Falkenberg I. Frontal hypoactivation and alterations in the reward-system during humor processing in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Schizophr Res 2018; 202:149-157. [PMID: 30539766 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Humor is a ubiquitous human ability with important implications for both social and emotional functioning. Patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, experience difficulties in the comprehension and appreciation of humor. However, the specific neural mechanisms underlying these deficits are unknown. In the current study, we sought to elucidate the neural correlates of humor processing in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) was used in thirty-one patients with SSD and a control group, performing a humor processing paradigm. Both regional brain activation and parametric modulation of brain responses via subjective funniness ratings were collected during the scanning procedure. On a neural level, large overlaps in fronto-temporal brain activation was found in both groups. However, patients compared to healthy control subjects showed attenuated responses in frontal brain regions, including the anterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), superior frontal gyrus and middle frontal gyrus, as well as in the striatum (i.e. caudate nucleus, putamen). Furthermore, parametric modulation of subjective funniness ratings resulted in attenuated responses in the mPFC, bilateral insula, and left hippocampus. Analysis of functional connectivity revealed alterations in mPFC-caudate nucleus coupling in patients with SSD, which might reflect impairments in reward-related processing. Notably, alterations in mPFC-caudate nucleus coupling in patients were significantly associated to subjective funniness ratings. Our results extend previous findings demonstrating the relevance of frontal hypoactivation for humor processing impairments in patients with SSD and first point towards alterations in humor appreciation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Berger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Straße 8, 35039 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Florian Bitsch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Straße 8, 35039 Marburg, Germany
| | - Arne Nagels
- Department of English and Linguistics, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Jakob-Welder-Weg 18, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Benjamin Straube
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Straße 8, 35039 Marburg, Germany
| | - Irina Falkenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Straße 8, 35039 Marburg, Germany
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14
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Aykan S, Nalçacı E. Assessing Theory of Mind by Humor: The Humor Comprehension and Appreciation Test (ToM-HCAT). Front Psychol 2018; 9:1470. [PMID: 30150962 PMCID: PMC6099116 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Theory of Mind (ToM) may be defined as the ability to understand the mental states, such as beliefs, desires, intentions, and emotions, of others. Impairment of ToM ability leads to disorders with pathologies in social skills, such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. In addition to differences in ToM ability among patient populations, there is variation between neurotypical individuals. Unfortunately, ToM tasks are usually developed for children or patients with cognitive disorders and cannot detect variations in healthy adults. As an alternative tool, humor may be used. Humor plays a role in social communication and requires many different cognitive functions. Humor is believed to represent complex high-order cognitive processes. There are numerous types of humor; the most complex type is considered ToM humor, where an understanding of social/emotional content is necessary. Given the need for a ToM assessment test suitable for healthy adult populations, we developed a test for measuring humor comprehension and appreciation, with and without ToM content (ToM-HCAT). The present ToM-HCAT test is a performance test consisting of cartoons. The test measures perceived funniness, reaction time to perceived funniness decision, and meaning inference. Cartoons were selected after pilot studies involving 44 participants. Subscales were constituted according to expert views and confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis (N = 135). Goodness of fit values for the final 35-item test were acceptable to excellent: GFI = 0.97; AGFI = 0.97; NFI = 0.97; RFI = 0.97, and SRMR = 0.067. Both categories were internally consistent (α1 = 0.84, α2 = 0.94). External validity was assessed against autistic traits. One hundred and three participants completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient and were grouped by +0.5 standard deviations from the mean as high in autistic traits. The meaning-inference scores of the subscale with the ToM cartoons were significantly lower (p = 0.034) for the high autistic traits group, providing evidence of external validity. In conclusion, we developed and validated a test for assessment of ToM by humor comprehension and appreciation. We believe that the present test will be useful for the detection of variations in ToM ability in the healthy adult population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simge Aykan
- Department of Physiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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15
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Berger P, Bitsch F, Nagels A, Straube B, Falkenberg I. Personality modulates amygdala and insula connectivity during humor appreciation: An event-related fMRI study. Soc Neurosci 2017; 13:756-768. [DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2017.1403375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Berger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Florian Bitsch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Arne Nagels
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Straube
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Irina Falkenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Adamczyk P, Wyczesany M, Domagalik A, Daren A, Cepuch K, Błądziński P, Cechnicki A, Marek T. Neural circuit of verbal humor comprehension in schizophrenia - an fMRI study. Neuroimage Clin 2017; 15:525-540. [PMID: 28652967 PMCID: PMC5473647 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with schizophrenia exhibit problems with understanding the figurative meaning of language. This study evaluates neural correlates of diminished humor comprehension observed in schizophrenia. The study included chronic schizophrenia (SCH) outpatients (n = 20), and sex, age and education level matched healthy controls (n = 20). The fMRI punchline based humor comprehension task consisted of 60 stories of which 20 had funny, 20 nonsensical and 20 neutral (not funny) punchlines. After the punchlines were presented, the participants were asked to indicate whether the story was comprehensible and how funny it was. Three contrasts were analyzed in both groups reflecting stages of humor processing: abstract vs neutral stories - incongruity detection; funny vs abstract - incongruity resolution and elaboration; and funny vs neutral - complete humor processing. Additionally, parametric modulation analysis was performed using both subjective ratings separately. Between-group comparisons revealed that the SCH subjects had attenuated activation in the right posterior superior temporal gyrus (BA 41) in case of irresolvable incongruity processing of nonsensical puns; in the left dorsomedial middle and superior frontal gyri (BA 8/9) in case of incongruity resolution and elaboration processing of funny puns; and in the interhemispheric dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (BA 24) in case of complete processing of funny puns. Additionally, during comprehensibility ratings the SCH group showed a suppressed activity in the left dorsomedial middle and superior frontal gyri (BA 8/9) and revealed weaker activation during funniness ratings in the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (BA 24). Interestingly, these differences in the SCH group were accompanied behaviorally by a protraction of time in both types of rating responses and by indicating funny punchlines less comprehensible. Summarizing, our results indicate neural substrates of humor comprehension processing impairments in schizophrenia, which is accompanied by fronto-temporal hypoactivation.
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Key Words
- ABS, absurd/nonsensical punchline
- ACC, anterior cingulate cortex
- BA, Brodmann's area
- CON, healthy controls/control group
- Communication skills
- EEG, electroencephalography
- ERPs, EEG event-related potentials
- FDR, False Discovery Rate
- FUN, funny punchline
- FWHM, full-width-at-half-maximum
- Figurative meaning
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging
- GLM, general linear model
- Humor
- IFG, inferior frontal gyrus
- IPL, Inferior Parietal Lobule
- ISI, interstimulus-interval
- L, left hemisphere
- MFG, medial frontal gyrus
- MNI, Montreal Neurological Institute coordinates
- MOG, middle occipital gyrus
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- MTG, middle temporal gyrus
- MoCA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment
- NEU, neutral/unfunny punchline
- PANSS, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
- PFC, prefrontal cortex
- R, right hemisphere
- RHLB, Right Hemisphere Language Battery
- RT, reaction time
- SCH, schizophrenia outpatients/clinical group
- SD, standard deviations
- SEM, standard error of the mean
- SFG, Superior Frontal Gyrus
- SOA, stimulus onset asynchrony
- STG, superior temporal gyrus
- Schizophrenia
- TP, temporal pole
- TPJ, temporoparietal junction
- ToM, theory of mind.
- dACC, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex
- dlPFC, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- dmMFG, dorsomedial Middle Frontal Gyrus
- fMRI, functional magnetic resonance imaging
- fNIRS, functional near-infrared spectroscopy
- k, number of voxels in analyzed cluster size
- ns, non-significant group difference
- pSTG, posterior Superior Temporal Gyrus
- sLORETA, standardized low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography analysis
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Adamczyk
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Psychosis Research and Psychotherapy Unit, Association for the Development of Psychiatry and Community Care, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Miroslaw Wyczesany
- Psychophysiology Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Domagalik
- Neurobiology Department, The Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Artur Daren
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Psychosis Research and Psychotherapy Unit, Association for the Development of Psychiatry and Community Care, Krakow, Poland
| | - Kamil Cepuch
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroergonomics, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Błądziński
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrzej Cechnicki
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Psychosis Research and Psychotherapy Unit, Association for the Development of Psychiatry and Community Care, Krakow, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Marek
- Neurobiology Department, The Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroergonomics, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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Adamczyk P, Daren A, Sułecka A, Błądziński P, Cichocki Ł, Kalisz A, Gawęda Ł, Cechnicki A. Do better communication skills promote sheltered employment in schizophrenia? Schizophr Res 2016; 176:331-339. [PMID: 27546092 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Alongside various psychopathological symptoms and neurocognitive dysfunctions, communication skill impairments may be considered core feature of schizophrenia. Although many studies examined the relation between employment status and neurocognition in schizophrenia, we still know very little about the role of communication skills in vocational status among people with schizophrenia. The purpose of this study is to identify the most characteristic communication, neurocognitive and social cognition differences which separate the employed schizophrenia outpatients from those who do not work. The study included three groups: 33 schizophrenia outpatients employed in social firms, 29 unemployed schizophrenia outpatients participating in occupational therapy and sex & age matched 31 healthy controls. We assessed communication skills, global cognitive functioning, executive functions, memory, social cognition as well as severity of psychopathology. Our results indicate that the most characteristic differences between employed and unemployed schizophrenia outpatients are associated with selective language and communication skills, i.e. paralinguistic aspects of communication, understanding of discrete meaning of linguistic context and figurative meaning of language. We find no significant differences between both clinical groups with regard to neurocognition and social cognition. Moreover, unemployed group had more severe psychopathology than the employed group, so we re-analyzed results controlling for symptom severity. The only differences that endured were related to general communication skills and explanation of pictured metaphors, but only when controlling solely for positive or negative syndrome. In conclusion, the present study indicates that employment in schizophrenia is associated with better symptomatic remission and communication skills, but not with better neurocognition and social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Adamczyk
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Chair of Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Psychosis Research and Psychotherapy Unit, Association for the Development of Psychiatry and Community Care, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Artur Daren
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Chair of Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Psychosis Research and Psychotherapy Unit, Association for the Development of Psychiatry and Community Care, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Sułecka
- Psychosis Research and Psychotherapy Unit, Association for the Development of Psychiatry and Community Care, Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Błądziński
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Chair of Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Łukasz Cichocki
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Chair of Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aneta Kalisz
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Chair of Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Łukasz Gawęda
- II Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrzej Cechnicki
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Chair of Psychiatry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Psychosis Research and Psychotherapy Unit, Association for the Development of Psychiatry and Community Care, Krakow, Poland
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Arcara G, Bambini V. A Test for the Assessment of Pragmatic Abilities and Cognitive Substrates (APACS): Normative Data and Psychometric Properties. Front Psychol 2016; 7:70. [PMID: 26903894 PMCID: PMC4751735 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Assessment of Pragmatic Abilities and Cognitive Substrates (APACS) test is a new tool to evaluate pragmatic abilities in clinical populations with acquired communicative deficits, ranging from schizophrenia to neurodegenerative diseases. APACS focuses on two main domains, namely discourse and non-literal language, combining traditional tasks with refined linguistic materials in Italian, in a unified framework inspired by language pragmatics. The test includes six tasks (Interview, Description, Narratives, Figurative Language 1, Humor, Figurative Language 2) and three composite scores (Pragmatic Productions, Pragmatic Comprehension, APACS Total). Psychometric properties and normative data were computed on a sample of 119 healthy participants representative of the general population. The analysis revealed acceptable internal consistency and good test-retest reliability for almost every APACS task, suggesting that items are coherent and performance is consistent over time. Factor analysis supports the validity of the test, revealing two factors possibly related to different facets and substrates of the pragmatic competence. Finally, excellent match between APACS items and scores and the pragmatic constructs measured in the test was evidenced by experts' evaluation of content validity. The performance on APACS showed a general effect of demographic variables, with a negative effect of age and a positive effect of education. The norms were calculated by means of state-of-the-art regression methods. Overall, APACS is a valuable tool for the assessment of pragmatic deficits in verbal communication. The short duration and easiness of administration make the test especially suitable to use in clinical settings. In presenting APACS, we also aim at promoting the inclusion of pragmatics in the assessment practice, as a relevant dimension in defining the patient's cognitive profile, given its vital role for communication and social interaction in daily life. The combined use of APACS with other neuropsychological tests could also improve our understanding of the cognitive substrates of pragmatic abilities and their breakdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Arcara
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua Padua, Italy
| | - Valentina Bambini
- Center for Neurocognition, Epistemology and theoretical Syntax, Institute for Advanced Study (IUSS) Pavia, Italy
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Tschacher W, Genner R, Bryjová J, Schaller E, Samson AC. Investigating vision in schizophrenia through responses to humorous stimuli. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH-COGNITION 2015; 2:84-88. [PMID: 29114457 PMCID: PMC5609641 DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2015.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The visual environment of humans contains abundant ambiguity and fragmentary information. Therefore, an early step of vision must disambiguate the incessant stream of information. Humorous stimuli produce a situation that is strikingly analogous to this process: Funniness is associated with the incongruity contained in a joke, pun, or cartoon. Like in vision in general, appreciating a visual pun as funny necessitates disambiguation of incongruous information. Therefore, perceived funniness of visual puns was implemented to study visual perception in a sample of 36 schizophrenia patients and 56 healthy control participants. We found that both visual incongruity and Theory of Mind (ToM) content of the puns were associated with increased experienced funniness. This was significantly less so in participants with schizophrenia, consistent with the gestalt hypothesis of schizophrenia, which would predict compromised perceptual organization in patients. The association of incongruity with funniness was not mediated by known predictors of humor appreciation, such as affective state, depression, or extraversion. Patients with higher excitement symptoms and, at a trend level, reduced cognitive symptoms, reported lower funniness experiences. An open question remained whether patients showed this deficiency of visual incongruity detection independent of their ToM deficiency. Humorous stimuli may be viewed as a convenient method to study perceptual processes, but also fundamental questions of higher-level cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Tschacher
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ruth Genner
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jana Bryjová
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford CA, USA
| | - Elisabeth Schaller
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea C Samson
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford CA, USA.,Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
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Abstract
Humor has not been taken as seriously as it should be. Humor has many positive effects in the daily lives of patients and clinicians need to take advantage of these. Many indices of stress are attenuated and this serves to improve the therapeutic alliance. Freudian, rational emotive therapy, and kleinian views are presented, as well as examples of how to use playful therapy. In addition, advice on how to develop humor is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel A Woodbury-Fariña
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, PO Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA.
| | - Joalex L Antongiorgi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, PO Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA
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Cai C, Yu L, Rong L, Zhong H. Effectiveness of humor intervention for patients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial. J Psychiatr Res 2014; 59:174-8. [PMID: 25266473 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the possible therapeutic effects of a 10-session humor intervention program in improving rehabilitative outcomes and the effects of the intervention on patients' sense of humor among patients with schizophrenia. METHOD Thirty subjects were randomly assigned into either the intervention (humor skill training) group (n = 15) or the control (doing handwork) group (n = 15). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests and ANOVA. FINDINGS Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were conducted to examine the differences across conditions and time. A group by time interaction effect was observed on all of the outcomes, except positive symptoms of PANSS. The time main effect was also significant on the total score (p < 0.005) and the negative symptoms score (p < 0.001) of the PANSS. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of humor skill training in a mental health service can improve rehabilitative outcomes and sense of humor for schizophrenia patients who were in the rehabilitation stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunfeng Cai
- HOPE School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Liping Yu
- HOPE School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Lan Rong
- Wuhan City Mental Health Center, Wuhan, China
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22
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Rapp AM, Langohr K, Mutschler DE, Wild B. Irony and proverb comprehension in schizophrenia: do female patients "dislike" ironic remarks? SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2014; 2014:841086. [PMID: 24991434 PMCID: PMC4060160 DOI: 10.1155/2014/841086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Difficulties in understanding irony and sarcasm are part of the social cognition deficits in patients with schizophrenia. A number of studies have reported higher error rates during comprehension in patients with schizophrenia. However, the relationships of these impairments to schizotypal personality traits and other language deficits, such as the comprehension of proverbs, are unclear. We investigated irony and proverb comprehension in an all-female sample of 20 schizophrenia patients and 27 matched controls. Subjects indicated if a statement was intended to be ironic, literal, or meaningless and furthermore rated the meanness and funniness of the stimuli and certainty of their decision. Patients made significantly more errors than controls did. Globally, there were no overall differences in the ratings. However, patients rated the subgroup of stimuli with answers given incorrectly as having significantly less meanness and in case of an error indicated a significantly higher certainty than controls. Across all of the study participants, performances in irony (r = -0.51) and proverb (r = 0.56) comprehension were significantly correlated with schizotypal personality traits, suggesting a continuum of nonliteral language understanding. Because irony is so frequent in everyday conversations, this makes irony an especially promising candidate for social cognition training in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M. Rapp
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Karin Langohr
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Dorothee E. Mutschler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Barbara Wild
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
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Abstract
Humour is a vital component of human socio-affective and cognitive functioning. Recent advances in neuroscience have enabled researchers to explore this human attribute in children and adults. Humour seems to engage a core network of cortical and subcortical structures, including temporo-occipito-parietal areas involved in detecting and resolving incongruity (mismatch between expected and presented stimuli); and the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system and the amygdala, key structures for reward and salience processing. Examining personality effects and sex differences in the neural correlates of humour may aid in understanding typical human behaviour and the neural mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders, which can have dramatic effects on the capacity to experience social reward.
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Humour et théorie de l’esprit dans la schizophrénie, revue de la littérature. Encephale 2012; 38:164-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2011.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 12/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Bozikas VP, Kosmidis MH, Giannakou M, Adamopoulou A, Gonda X, Fokas K, Garyfallos G. Humor appreciation of captionless cartoons in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2011; 10:31. [PMID: 22103926 PMCID: PMC3226584 DOI: 10.1186/1744-859x-10-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It seems that the core neural regions and cognitive processes implicated in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) pathophysiology may overlap with those involved in humor appreciation. However, to date, there have been no studies that have explored humor appreciation in OCD. The purpose of the present work was to investigate humor appreciation in a group of patients with OCD. METHODS We examined 25 patients with OCD and 25 healthy controls, matched by age, education, and gender. We administered Penn's Humor Appreciation Test (PHAT), a computerized test comprising captionless cartoons by Mordillo. Each set of stimuli consisted of two almost identical drawings, one of which was funny due to the alteration of a detail in the cartoon, whereas the other was not funny. Severity of psychopathology was evaluated with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). RESULTS No significant effect for group, gender or group × gender interaction was found on the PHAT scores. In OCD patients, humor appreciation was not significantly associated with age of onset, duration of illness, and obsessions, but correlated significantly with compulsions. CONCLUSIONS Humor appreciation, based on captionless cartoons in OCD, does not seem to be deficient compared to healthy subjects but may be related to illness characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilis P Bozikas
- First Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Diminished humour perception in schizophrenia: relationship to social and cognitive functioning. J Psychiatr Res 2010; 44:434-40. [PMID: 19892368 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2009.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2009] [Revised: 09/04/2009] [Accepted: 10/02/2009] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
This study attempted to confirm that humour recognition deficits previously found in schizophrenia are specific to the condition and not attributable to other parameters such as depression or anxiety. Secondarily, we explored any possible cognitive or social functioning correlates to humour recognition deficits. A total of 60 participants (20 outpatients with schizophrenia, 20 psychiatric control participants and 20 control participants) underwent a 64-question humour task in addition to a battery of standard cognitive tests and Social Functioning Scales. In order to compare the three groups of participants, we conducted an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc t-tests on neuropsychological measures, social functioning measures, and the primary outcome, humour recognition. The schizophrenia group showed significant and substantial deficits in humour recognition compared to the healthy control group, t(38)=5.1, P<0.001, ES=-1.55 and the psychiatric control group, t(38)=3.6, P=0.001. In the schizophrenia group, humour recognition correlated positively with general intellectual functioning (NART) r=.45, P=0.04, social reasoning (WAIS-III Comprehension) r=.54, P=0.01, executive functioning (WCST-CC) r=.69, P=0.001 and social adjustment ratings (SASS scores), r=.54, P=0.02. These findings support the assertion that humour recognition deficits in schizophrenia are specific to the condition and not attributable to other factors such as depression or anxiety. Furthermore, humour recognition deficits in schizophrenia may perhaps be preferentially associated with deficiencies in set shifting and semantic cognition.
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Kidd SA, Miller R, Boyd GM, Cardeña I. Relationships between humor, subversion, and genuine connection among persons with severe mental illness. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2009; 19:1421-1430. [PMID: 19805804 DOI: 10.1177/1049732309348381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although humor has been linked to resilience among many populations, little is known regarding the role of humor in the coping of individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). In this study, a series of interviews focused on humor was completed by 15 individuals with SMI, with narratives analyzed using grounded theory methods.The marginalized and stigmatized social position occupied by persons with SMI was found to affect both the use and meanings of humor. Humor was described as being the subject of clinical scrutiny. Humor was also emphasized as a means of subverting power differentials revolving around the identity of SMI with, for many, the primary goal being the development of "real" and genuine connections with service providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean A Kidd
- McMaster University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciecnes, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Falkenberg I, Klügel K, Bartels M, Wild B. Sense of humor in patients with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2007; 95:259-61. [PMID: 17628438 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2007.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2007] [Accepted: 06/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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