A new research showed that children who spend much time watching cartoons on TV become numbed and no longer feel physical pain. For example, if a kid watching his favorite cartoons would be stung in the arm with a needle it is very likely he won't even notice the pain. Even if kids permanently watching TV can become a real "pain" and nuisance for the parents, children's obsession with TV and the cartoons' tranquilizing effects upon them may be used by parents in their favor. For instance, if your offspring is in pains due to a health disorder, don't just hang around thinking of ways to ease his pain - pass him the remote control and everything will be fine...and silent again.

Italian researchers at the University of Siena found that when taking blood tests of some children, those who were watching cartoons on TV were not even bothered by the doctors circulating around them. On the contrary, kids who were not allowed to watch TV reported substantially higher pain even if their mothers tried to distract them when being taken blood tests.

Scientists state that kids' reaction to pain during the blood tests may have been triggered by two factors. Kids who were not watching TV may have been influenced by their mothers' anxiety which was transmitted to them and this is why they felt so much pain. On the other hand, scientists say that the bodies of children who were watching cartoons on TV while being taking blood tests released endorphins - chemical compounds release by our bodies when we are doing something that pleases us. Endorphins chemicals act like analgesics and painkillers, inducing us a state of wellbeing.

"The higher pain level reported by children during mothers' efforts at distraction shows the difficulty mothers have in interacting positively at a difficult moment in their children's life," point the researchers. "Mothers' and children's scores indicated that venipuncture was significantly less painful in the TV group in controls. Our study suggests that in primary school aged children watching television may reduce distress during venipuncture more than maternal attempts at distraction."

However, this does not mean that the presence of the mothers should be somehow banned from now on. Mothers play a crucial role in every child's life and it is very important for the kids to be accompanied by their moms whenever they must face a painful event.

"This does not mean that the mothers' presence is negative: although it does not reduce pain, the children will recall that they were not left alone on a stressful occasion.. Children who are experiencing pain in health care settings of course need the supportive presence of a parent to help them cope effectively. Indeed, children state that having their parent present provides the most comfort when in pain," stated the authors of the study.

"Our results support the benefit of introducing a distracting environment during minor painful procedures in children. The study suggests that in primary aged children, watching television may reduce stress during an injection or taking a blood sample. We know the importance of parents' collaboration in helping children to cope with pain by just their presence. We are also aware of the power of television to capture children's attention," concluded the researchers.