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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Dynamic Quantitative Sensory Testing to Characterize Central Pain Processing

Dynamic Quantitative Sensory Testing to Characterize Central Pain Processing

Published on: February 16, 2017

Sensory processing sensitivity in adolescents reporting chronic pain: an exploratory study.

Helen Koechlin^1,2, Carolina Donado², Cosima Locher^3,4

¹Division of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

|January 26, 2023

Summary

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) in adolescents with chronic pain is common and impacts quality of life. High sensitivity was linked to poorer physical, emotional, and school functioning, but not pain intensity.

Keywords:

Adolescents Chronic pain Emotion regulation Quality of life Sensory processing sensitivity

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Neuroscience
Adolescent Health

Background:

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a heritable trait involving deeper information processing and lower sensory thresholds.
SPS is hypothesized to be significant in the experience of chronic pain.
Adolescents with chronic pain may exhibit varying levels of SPS.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the relationship between SPS and pain intensity in adolescents with chronic pain.
To investigate SPS as a correlate of pain-related disability.
To examine how SPS influences quality of life in this population.

Main Methods:

103 adolescents with chronic pain were recruited via social media and pain clinics.
Participants completed online questionnaires assessing SPS, pain features, emotion regulation, and quality of life.
Statistical analyses included ANOVAs to compare SPS groups and multiple linear regressions to predict outcomes.

Main Results:

A significant proportion of participants (45.68%) reported high SPS.
Significant differences in quality of life subscales (physical, emotional, school functioning) were found across SPS groups.
SPS was not predictive of pain intensity but was associated with health-related quality of life.

Conclusions:

SPS is a prevalent trait in adolescents with chronic pain.
SPS significantly affects the quality of life for adolescents experiencing chronic pain.
Considering SPS is crucial for understanding and managing chronic pain in adolescents.