Touch processing in adults with autism spectrum disorders (v2)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Touch processing in adults with autism spectrum disorders
IRAS ID
196436
Contact name
Connor Haggarty
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool John Moores University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Touch plays an often overlooked role in typical development. While it is recognised that individuals with ASD experience gentle touch differently to neurotypical individuals, little is known about underlying cause. We would like to invite individuals to take part in a research study we are conducting at Liverpool John Moores University, investigating the processing of touch in adults aged 18-40, with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Participants will complete a simple task, which involves responding to the feeling of soft brush strokes applied to their forearm or palm. During the task small sticky sensors will be placed on participants' chests to measure ECG and over the corrugator (frown) and zygomaticus (smile) muscles on the face to measure implicit emotional responses to the touch received. Participants will also be asked to rate the pleasantness of the touch and the intensity of the sensation received on a scale, after each brush stroke. Participants will receive a £15 Amazon voucher for their time. The experiment will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0349
Date of REC Opinion
27 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion