The effect of viewing a humorous film on salivary testosterone levels and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values on the back of the neck in 36 elderly healthy people (36 male, mean 70 years) and 36 elderly patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) (36 male, mean age 70 years) were studied. Salivary testosterone levels were decreased while TEWL values were increased in elderly patients with AD compared to those in elderly healthy people. Viewing a humorous film (The Best Bits of Mr. Bean, Universal studios, 1996) slightly, but significantly (P<0.05), elevated salivary testosterone levels and reduced TEWL values in elderly healthy people, while viewing a control non-humorous film (weather information) failed to do so. Similarly, but more pronouncedly, viewing a humorous film markedly elevated salivary testosterone levels and reduced TEWL values in elderly patients with AD, while viewing a control non-humorous film failed to do so. These finding indicate that viewing a humorous film may be useful in the study of testosterone and TEWL, and treatment for dry skin in elderly people with or without AD.

Department of Allergy Moriguchi Keijinkai Hospital Osaka Prefecture Japan

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