ArticleBJA open2026
The impact of adverse childhood experiences on sensory thresholds in adults living with multimorbidity and chronic pain: an observational feasibility study.
Article in BJA open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
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Abstract
Background: Epidemiological studies have linked adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to multimorbidity and chronic pain. One possible mechanism may be altered sensory processing, which could influence symptom development and persistence, and can be assessed by psychophysical methods such as quantitative sensory testing (QST). In this single-site feasibility study, we evaluated a study protocol to examine these relationships. Our primary aim was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures. Our secondary aim was to generate preliminary data exploring relationships between ACE exposure and QST parameters. Methods: This was a single-site feasibility study with a cross-sectional design. Adult participants completed questionnaires (including a 20-item ACE questionnaire), static QST based on the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain protocol, and dynamic QST (conditioned pain modulation) using pressure and heat test stimuli. Results: Of 101 people directly approached, 60 were recruited (recruitment rate, 59.4%; 73.3% female [ Conclusions: This study demonstrated that assessing sensory processing in relation to ACEs among adults with chronic pain and multimorbidity was both feasible and acceptable. Feasibility metrics and preliminary effect estimates will inform protocol refinement, outcome prioritisation, sample size calculations, and recruitment timelines for a future appropriately powered definitive study.
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