Assessment of Somatosensory Function and Self-harm in Adolescents.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Self-harm is a risk factor for suicide in adolescents, with the prevalence highest in young people in group and residential care programs. Although no established risk factors for self-harm exist, adolescents who self-harm may have decreased pain sensitivity, but this has not been systematically investigated.

Objective

To assess somatosensory function using quantitative sensory testing (QST) in children and adolescents living in care grouped by the number of episodes of self-harm in the past year and compare their somatosensory profiles with community control participants to investigate associations with the incidence or frequency of self-harm.

Design, setting, and participants

Recruitment for this cross-sectional study began January 2019 and ended March 20

SUBMITTER: Cummins TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8278268 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature