Pain processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder Version 1.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pain processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) Approach.
IRAS ID
211802
Contact name
Sarah Vaughan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool John Moores University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NSP/15/023, UREC University research ethics committee
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 13 days
Research summary
Evidence suggests that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) experience pain differently and may not communicate their experience in the same way as others. However, there is a lack of systematic study. Establishing experimental measures of sensation and pain for individuals with ASD will give us insight into the underlying processing of pain. Comparing these results to published norms will enhance our understanding of any differences.
We would like to invite adults with ASD to attend our lab at Liverpool John Moores University (the funders of this project) to establish the response to pain and light touch using specialised sensory testing. Participants will be asked to indicate when they can feel touch and heat sensations as well as telling us when these become mildly painful (i.e. as soon as a warming pad first feels painful). Additionally, participants will be asked to complete several psychometric measures as part of the procedure.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0402
Date of REC Opinion
29 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion