Watching cartoons can be a great distraction for kids at the hospital! Parents have long recognized the distracting powers of television, but research is now confirming it.
This research comes from the University of Siena in Italy, and the lead researcher just so happens to be a father of three. Sixty-nine children between the ages of seven and twelve were given needles (like the type used to take blood samples) and asked to rate their pain. Mothers were also asked to rate their child’s pain.
On the positive side, it is good to have a powerful distraction for children undergoing painful procedures. However, the study author feels the results are a disturbing look at the power of television — especially if the power of television is stronger than the power of Mom and Dad.
Cartoons are more powerful than Mom? They are when it comes to pain management. Children in the study who watched cartoons while getting a needle reported half the pain experienced by those who were soothed by Mom. The TV watching group also reported less pain than children who were not coddled (but had a parent in the room).
Some researchers feel that the power of Mom and Dad is a bit overrated. Children may see a parent’s concern and comfort as a sign that whatever is happening must be really bad. In other words, a parent’s attempt at comfort may backfire! Passive distraction — like television or storytelling — may work better as a pain management tool. Being so absorbed may help distance a child from the pain of the procedure; attention from parents may only call more attention to what is going on.
The power of television may be why some doctor’s offices and dental offices are providing exam room screens for patients. Passive distraction isn’t just for pain management in children; it works on grown ups too!