Experiences of Gravitational Insecurity

14 February 2025: Rebecca Matson, University of Liverpool

Do you experience:

  • Discomfort or anxiety in response to movement?
  • Difficulty in any of the following situations:
  • Using an escalator or lift
  • Driving or travelling in moving vehicles
  • Crossing over bridges

If so, we would like to hear from you

Who is eligible to take part?

  • Adults aged 18-50
  • No known diagnosis of vertigo, labrynthitus or Meniere’s disease
  • No evidence of dizziness related to medication side effects

What will taking part involve?

Step 1: You will be asked to complete a screening assessment, The Adult/ Adolescent Sensory History, which will take 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: The first eight people who return an assessment that suggests gravitational insecurity will be invited to an online interview using MS Teams. This will last approximately 45-60 minutes.

It is possible that through taking part in the study, you reflect on difficult experiences, so please consider this before volunteering to take part.

Contact details

If you would like more information, please contact : [email protected]

This study has received approval from: IPH-REC University of Liverpool - Ref :14333

Appendix 1 - Participant Information Sheet version 3 24.10.24.pdf



How healthcare professionals with postgraduate certification in Sensory Integration (SI) perceive the influence of EcoSensory Therapy In-Leaf Practicum training on their clinical reasoning

13 February 2025: Cara St John, Sheffield Hallam University

My name is Cara St John, and I am currently completing my Dissertation research project for my MSc in Advancing Practice Sensory Integration. The research has been granted ethical approval by Sheffield Hallam University.

My research is looking at how healthcare professionals with postgraduate certification in Sensory Integration (SI) perceive the influence of EcoSensory Therapy In-Leaf Practicum training on their clinical reasoning.

The aims of the study are:

  • To explore the experiences of healthcare professionals with postgraduate certification in SI who have also participated in EcoSensory Therapy In-Leaf Practicum training.
  • To examine how healthcare professionals with postgraduate certification in SI interpret the impact of EcoSensory Therapy In-Leaf Practicum training on their clinical reasoning.
  • To identify key themes and patterns across healthcare professionals with postgraduate certification in SI about how they perceive the influence of EcoSensory Therapy In-Leaf Practicum training on their clinical reasoning.

I am looking to complete semi-structured interviews with fully qualified, actively working Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Physiotherapists who:

  • Have completed postgraduate certification in Sensory Integration (Sensory Integration Education Modules 1-3). 

AND

  • Have attended the EcoSensory Therapy In-Leaf Practicum course

AND

  • Have used EcoSensory Therapy as an approach within their clinical practice with at least one client.

Participation is voluntary, and participants can withdraw from the study at any time.

If you would like to take part or require further information, please email me at the following address: [email protected].

Cara St John, Occupational Therapist, Advanced SI Practitioner and Certified EcoSensory Therapy Practitioner.



Seeking Occupational Therapists Working With Children with Autism

18 October 2024: Francillia Francis-James, Sheffield Hallam University

Are you an occupational therapist working with minimally verbal children with autism aged 5-11? Do you work with standardised assessments that evaluate sensory-motor needs and would like to provide a perspective on their use with minimally verbal children with autism? 

This study sets out to gain a perspective on the use of standardised sensory motor assessments on minimally verbal children with autism within occupational therapy and their impact on diagnosis, planning and provision.

Individuals are eligible to participate in this study if they fall into the following inclusion criteria below:

  • Occupational therapists currently working with children with autism who are minimally verbal children aged 5-11 who live in the UK will be considered for the study.
  • Only occupational therapists with two years minimum experience working with children with autism who are minimally verbal and aged 5-11 will be considered for this study.
  • Only occupational therapists working with children with autism who are minimally verbal that display sensory motor difficulties will be included within the study.
  • Only occupational therapists who have previously used three or more sensory motor assessments on children with autism who are minimally verbal will be included in this study.

The participant's age and gender specifications are not required.

Participants will be asked to attend a semi-structured interview or complete an open-ended questionnaire. Participation in this study is voluntary, and participants can withdraw from the study at any time and refuse to answer specific questions within the interview or questionnaires. Participants' completion of the consent form and filled-in questionnaire or interview participation will indicate that they have consented to participate in this study unless stated otherwise.

If you would like to participate in this study or require further information, please contact Francillia at the following email: [email protected]