August 19, 2006
TV more effective than hugs for child pain
From Scientific American:
Television can act like a painkiller when it comes to children and is more effective than a mother's comforting, according to a small Italian study. The University of Siena study, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, was based on 69 children aged seven to 12 who were divided into three groups to have blood taken. One group was given no distraction while the blood was being taken while mothers of children in the second group attempted to distract the youngsters by talking to them, soothing, and/or caressing them. In the third group, the children were allowed to watch television cartoons while the procedure was being carried out.
More here. |
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An interesting study, plus, it makes perfect sense. After all watching TV
puts the brain into an alpha brainwave state (similar to a hypnotic state).
From Scientific America: "Television Addiction Is No Mere Metaphor"
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=0005339B-A694-1CC5-B4A8809EC588EEDF&pageNumber=2&catID=2
"As one might expect, people who were watching TV when we beeped them reported
feeling relaxed and passive. The EEG studies similarly show less mental stimulation,
as measured by alpha brain-wave production, during viewing than during reading."
http://www.leaonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s1532785xmep0603_3
"Television commercials include elements designed to engage the viewer's attention.
Manipulations of the commercial's visual structure that result in rapid pacing or
frequent scene changes can be engaging because they require a frequent redirection
of visual attention. Manipulations of semantic content through such techniques as the inclusion
of humorous or anomalous elements can elicit cognitive engagement. Structural manipulations
in videos are known to attenuate the alpha (8 to 13 Hz) rhythm of the electroencephalogram
(EEG) recorded over posterior cortical regions involved with visual processes."
http://skepdic.com/alphawaves.html
"Alpha waves are oscillating electrical voltages in the brain. They oscillate in the range of
7.5-13 cycles per second. Because alpha waves occur in relaxed states such as meditation and
under hypnosis, they have been mistakenly identified as desirable. Alpha waves also
occur under unpleasant conditions and when one is not relaxed.* They are not a measure
of peace and serenity, nor are they indicative of an altered state of consciousness.
Alpha waves are indicative of lack of visual processing and lack of focus: the less visual
processing and the more unfocused, generally the stronger the alpha waves. If you close
your eyes and don't do any deep thinking or concentrating on vivid imagery, your alpha
waves will usually be quite strong."
For more on the effects of TV on the brain
see: www.tvsmarter.com
Posted by: Terry | Aug 19, 2006 2:33:04 PM
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