Photos of loved ones help ease pain.

LOOKING at a picture of a loved one can be a powerful form of pain relief. Tests showed that snapshots of partners, parents or children triggered positive feelings strong enough to override much of the patient's discomfort.

Researchers said patients visiting hospital for painful tests should consider bringing a picture to help them cope. Studies have shown that having loved ones, or pets, around when pain flares can make the agony more bearable. But researchers at the University of Los Angeles wanted to see if this extended to images. They recruited 28 women, and carried out experiments involving heat-pain tests, where heat is applied to a tiny patch on the arm until it hurts. The women first held the hand of a partner who was sitting behind a curtain, then a stranger. Then they looked at a photo of a loved one, or a stranger, or stared at the letter 'x' on paper. Results showed that the photos had the most effect -- more so than holding a loved one's hand when their face was not visible. When the women were looking at pictures, and not interacting with their partners, they experienced a reduction in pain.