While art is known to express pain in the most beautiful way, a new study has found that looking at a striking painting can offer a distraction from physical pain.
Art, it is said, transcends all emotion and now scientists have given this view an entirely new perspective. Researchers at the University of Bari in Italy now say that looking at a strikingly beautiful painting can actually distract from real physical pain!
The research could help vindicate hospitals who are accused of wasting money on art and decor as it suggests a pleasant environment helps patients overcome discomfort and pain.
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The volunteers were then asked to contemplate either the beautiful paintings, or the ugly painting, or a blank panel while the team zapped a short laser pulse at their hand, creating a sensation as if they had been pricked by a pin.
The participants rated the pain as being a third less intense while they were viewing the beautiful paintings, compared with when contemplating the ugly paintings or the blank panel.
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stress levels can be reduced by viewing art according to Professor Angela Clow, from the University of Westminster
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While distractions, such as music, are known to reduce pain in hospital patients, Prof de Tommaso says this is the first result to show that beauty plays a part.
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"Hospitals have been designed to be functional, but we think that their aesthetic aspects should be taken into account too," Telegraph quoted Prof de Tommaso who published her findings in the paper Aesthetic Value of Paintings (And) Affects on Pain Thresholds.
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Picture Perfect!- Art Therapy for Mental Illness
Art therapy, a therapy through visual art, can offer a treatment option for people with mental disease, suggests a new study.
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"I think these results show that more research is needed into the how a beautiful environment can alleviate suffering," she added.
Source-ANI
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