Classic Disney films can help to improve the quality of life for cancer patients having chemotherapy, a study has found.
The Little Mermaid
Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna played female cancer patients Disney movies such as 'The Little Mermaid' and discovered that they became less tense and worried as a result.
The researchers found that the positive nature of Disney classics and their happy endings helped patients cope.
Lead author Dr. Johannes Ott said the study focused on Disney films as they contain both music and stories.
He said: ''In movies, music not only enhances the emotion of what is shown on screen, but can also create impressions and emotions.''
Ott added that the patients were deliberately shown older flicks, although movies with sadder moments, such as 'Dumbo' and 'Bambi', were not included in the study.
He explained: ''We deliberately chose older movies because they were more likely to evoke memories of the past and have a slower storyline than newer Disney movies.''