Research Updates
By Sensory Integration Education, 15 May 2022
A roundup of recent sensory integration research studies published since our last issue from across the life span, (collated for you by SensorNet between June 2021 and February 2022):
Maintaining Momentum in Infant Mental Health Research During COVID-19: Adapting Observational Assessments
Stephanie Tesson, BPsych (Hons I), Dianne Swinsburg, BPsych (Hons I), MClinPsych, Nadine A Kasparian, BA Psych (Hons I), MAPS, PhD, Maintaining Momentum in Infant Mental Health Research During COVID-19: Adapting Observational Assessments, Journal of Pediatric Psychology, Volume 46, Issue 3, April 2021, Pages 254–263, https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsab020
This new paper provides recommendations to assist clinicians and researchers in developing and implementing technology-based distance-delivered parent–infant observational assessments in order to support infant mental health.
Influence of Ideational Praxis on the Development of Play and Adaptive Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comparative Analysis
Serrada-Tejeda S, Santos-del-Riego S, May-Benson TA, Pérez-de-Heredia-Torres M. Influence of Ideational Praxis on the Development of Play and Adaptive Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comparative Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(11):5704. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115704
This new study investigated the ideational abilities of children with ASD and analysed possible relationships with the development of play and adaptive behaviours. The researchers found a strong relationship between ideational praxis and play skills in study participants.
Sex Differences in Sensory Processing in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Osório, J. M. A., Rodríguez-Herreros, B., Richetin, S., Junod, V., Romascano, D., Pittet, V., Chabane, N., Jequier Gygax, M., & Maillard, A. M. (2021). Sex differences in sensory processing in children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research, 14( 11), 2412– 2423. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2580
This new study investigated sex differences in sensory processing in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The researchers found that female study participants showed more severe symptoms in Hearing, as well as Balance and Motion sub scales on the SPM in comparison to male participants.
Relationship between Sensory Processing and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review
Costa-López B, Ferrer-Cascales R, Ruiz-Robledillo N, Albaladejo-Blázquez N, Baryła-Matejczuk M. Relationship between Sensory Processing and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021; 10(17):3961. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10173961
This new systematic review investigated the relationship between sensory processing and Quality of Life. The researchers found that high sensitivity could impact negatively on both physical and mental health.
Training Direct-care Staff to Implement Sensory Integration Strategies on a Psychiatric Inpatient Unit
Proterra, K., Ehrlich, S., & Romani, P. W. (2021). Training direct-care staff to implement sensory integration strategies on a psychiatric inpatient unit. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 1– 7. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcap.12357
This new study researched the components of a training program to teach nurses and direct-care staff appropriate use of sensory integration strategies on an inpatient mental health ward. The researchers found that opportunities for practice and feedback were beneficial after didactic staff training sessions.
Exploring Sensory Phenotypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Scheerer, N.E., Curcin, K., Stojanoski, B. et al. Exploring sensory phenotypes in autism spectrum disorder. Molecular Autism 12, 67 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-021-00471-5
This new study explored sensory phenotypes in individuals aged 1-21 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The authors were able to describe 5 different phenotypes, and found that traits associated with autism, Exploring Sensory Phenotypes in Autism Spectrum DisorderADHD, and obsessive compulsive disorder differed across the 5 sensory phenotypes.
Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Using a Sensory Integration Approach: A Multiple-Baseline Design Study
Lauren Andelin, Stacey Reynolds, Sarah Schoen; Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Using a Sensory Integration Approach: A Multiple-Baseline Design Study. Am J Occup Ther November/December 2021, Vol. 75(6), 7506205030. doi: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.044917
This new study used measures related to motor coordination and functional performance in order to assess the effectiveness of sensory integration therapy in children. Significant improvements were observed on the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency - Second Edition (BOT-2) and the GAS. The findings from this study adds to the evidence that Ayres Sensory Integration can be effective in improving motor and functional performance in children with sensory processing and sensory integration challenges.
Experiences of Sensory Input in Daily Occupations for People With Serious Mental Illness
Helene Andersson, Daniel Sutton, Ulrika Bejerholm & Elisabeth Argentzell (2021) Experiences of sensory input in daily occupations for people with serious mental illness, Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 28:6, 446-456, DOI: 10.1080/11038128.2020.1778784
This new study investigated the experience of sensory input and strategies used in daily occupations among people with serious mental illness.The researchers concluded that specific sensory inputs were difficult to process and that this in turn affected participation in daily activities negatively.
Effects of Sensory Distraction and Salience Priming on Emotion Identification in Autism: An fMRI Study
Patterson, G., Cummings, K.K., Jung, J. et al. Effects of sensory distraction and salience priming on emotion identification in autism: an fMRI study. J Neurodevelop Disord 13, 42 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-021-09391-0
This new study researched the effect of auditory sensory distracters on neural processing of emotion identification in youth with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The researchers found that youth with ASD showed increased activity in limbic and salience regions when completing the task in the presence of aversive environmental noises which showed that the sensory environment should be taken into account when delivering a social intervention.
Associations Between Emotionality, Sensory Reactivity and Food Fussiness in Young Children
Stella Rendall, Kate Harvey, Teresa Tavassoli, Helen Dodd, Associations between emotionality, sensory reactivity and food fussiness in young children, Food Quality and Preference,Volume 96, 2022, 104420, ISSN 0950-3293, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104420.
This new study investigated the relationship between food fussiness and sensory reactivity in children. The researchers found that there was a significant correlation between high sensory reactivity in taste, olfactory and tactile sensory modalities and food fussiness in this population.
The Role of Sensory Processing Sensitivity in the Early Traumatic Stress Reaction: Predicting Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Following Motor Vehicle Accidents
Grinapol, M. Gelkopf, S. Pagorek-Eshel, T. Greene, The role of sensory processing sensitivity in the early traumatic stress reaction: Predicting posttraumatic stress symptoms following motor vehicle accidents, Personality and Individual Differences, Volume 185, 2022, 111278, ISSN 01918869, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111278.
This new study investigated the association between individuals' sensitivity to stimuli and their emotional responses to adversity. The researchers found that Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) could potentially exacerbate early stress symptoms in some individuals which may contribute to lasting PTSD symptomatology.
An Investigation of the Association between School-Aged Children’s Sensory Processing and Their Self-Reported Leisure Activity Participation and Preferences
Emma Brady & Ted Brown (2022) An Investigation of the Association between School-Aged Children’s Sensory Processing and Their Self-Reported Leisure Activity Participation and Preferences, Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, DOI: 10.1080/19411243.2021.2003737
This new study investigated the association between sensory processing and self-reported leisure activity participation and preferences in children aged seven to 12 years. The researchers found a correlation between challenges with multisensory processing and the frequency of children’s participation in leisure activities.
A Systematic Review of the Neural Correlates of Multisensory Integration in Schizophrenia
Cornelia Gröhn, Elin Norgren, Lars Eriksson, A systematic review of the neural correlates of multisensory integration in schizophrenia, Schizophrenia Research: Cognition, Volume 27, 2022, 100219, ISSN 2215-0013, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scog.2021.100219.
This new systematic review consisting of 17 studies investigated multisensory integration in diagnosed schizophrenia patients compared to a healthy control group. The researchers found reduced neural activity measured with EEG, MEG and fMRI, presumably reflecting deficits in multisensory integration in schizophrenia. This might indicate difficulties both in integrating congruent stimuli and in differentiating between incongruent stimuli in individuals with schizophrenia.
The Self-Regulatory Affective Touch: A Speculative Framework for the Development of Executive Functioning
Teresa Farroni, Letizia Della Longa, Irene Valori, The self-regulatory affective touch: a speculative framework for the development of executive functioning, Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, Volume 43, 2022, Pages 167-173, ISSN 2352-1546, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.10.007.
This new paper reviewed recent studies that investigated physiological and behavioural responses to tactile stimulations across development. The researchers found supporting evidence that affective touch is an essential part of early emerging self-regulatory skills which influences infants’ socio-emotional and cognitive developmental trajectories.
Exploring Alterations in Sensory Pathways in Migraine
Meylakh, N., Henderson, L.A. Exploring alterations in sensory pathways in migraine. J Headache Pain 23, 5 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-021-01371-y
This new study explored the neural mechanisms underpinning interictal changes in sensory processing by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare resting brain activity patterns and connectivity in individuals between migraine attacks. The researchers found evidence for a dysfunctional sensory network in pain-free migraine patients which may be underlying altered sensory processing between migraine attacks, including the disruption of ongoing activity patterns in the visual cortex.
Sensory-processing Sensitivity and Covid-19 Stress in a Young Population: The Mediating Role of Resilience
Shuhei Iimura, Sensory-processing sensitivity and COVID-19 stress in a young population: The mediating role of resilience, Personality and Individual Differences, Volume 184, 2022, 111183, ISSN 0191-8869, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111183.
This new study investigated the relationships between resilience, sensory processing sensitivity and COVID-19-related distress. The researchers found a positive association between sensitivity and COVID-19 stress but found that resilience buffered the negative relationship between sensitivity and COVID-19 stress. They emphasised the importance of supporting individuals to enhance resilience in order to better manage stress related to the pandemic.
High Trait Anxiety Enhances Optimal Integration of Auditory and Visual Threat Cues
Naomi Heffer, Molly Gradidge, Anke Karl, Chris Ashwin, Karin Petrini, High trait anxiety enhances optimal integration of auditory and visual threat cues, Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, Volume 74, 2022, 101693, ISSN 0005-7916, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101693.
This new study investigated the effect of anxiety on multisensory integration. The researchers found that high trait anxiety individuals were more likely to optimally observe cues when processing angry audiovisual stimuli, and demonstrated less optimal integration for happy stimuli.
Sensory Processing Difficulties in Patients with Functional Neurological Disorder: Occupational Therapy Management Strategies and Two Cases
Julie MacLean, Sara A. Finkelstein, Sara Paredes-Echeverri, David L. Perez, Jessica Ranford, Sensory Processing Difficulties in Patients with Functional Neurological Disorder: Occupational Therapy Management Strategies and Two Cases, Seminars in Pediatric Neurology, 2022, 100951, ISSN 1071-9091, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spen.2022.100951.
This new paper reviews the role for occupational therapy (OT) in the multidisciplinary therapeutic approach to managing patients with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), and discusses how an individualised, sensory based treatment plan can help address functional neurological symptoms and improve overall participation in activities of daily living.
Muting, Filtering and Transforming Space: Autistic Children's Sensory ‘Tactics’ for Navigating Mainstream School Space Following Transition to Secondary School
Lily Birkett, Laura McGrath, Ian Tucker, Muting, filtering and transforming space: Autistic children's sensory ‘tactics’ for navigating mainstream school space following transition to secondary school, Emotion, Space and Society, Volume 42, 2022, 100872, ISSN 1755-4586, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emospa.2022.100872.
This new paper discusses the experiences of autistic young people in secondary school and provides insight of the ‘sensory tactics’ developed by them to navigate neurotypical spaces following transition to secondary school.
Case Report: ASI Intervention on a Child With Autism in Saudi Arabia
Alkhalifah S, Allen S and Aldhalaan H. Case Report: ASI intervention on a child with autism in Saudi Arabia [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2022, 11:50 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.74257.1)
This new paper by Sensory Integration Education Advanced Practitioner, Shahad Alkhalifah investigated the barriers associated with Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) in Saudi Arabia, and investigated whether ASI intervention could improve process and participation skills in an Autistic Child in this setting. The researchers found that in spite of barriers caused by limited resources in Arabic, ASI can be a valuable intervention in this population.
A Lot to Maintain: Caregiver Accommodation of Sensory Processing Differences in Early Childhood
Walbam, K.M. A Lot to Maintain: Caregiver Accommodation of Sensory Processing Differences in Early Childhood. J Child Fam Stud (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02242-z
This new qualitative study investigated the ways in which caregivers described early attunement with their child with difficulties with sensory processing, and the ways in which they were able to accommodate their child’s specific sensory needs within the context of the parent-child relationship in the first three years of life. Some of the areas discussed include holding their children in specific ways and adapting their parenting style.
Associations Between Emotionality, Sensory Reactivity and Food Fussiness in Young Children
Stella Rendall, Kate Harvey, Teresa Tavassoli, Helen Dodd, Associations between emotionality, sensory reactivity and food fussiness in young children, Food Quality and Preference, Volume 96, 2022, 104420, ISSN 0950-3293, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104420.
This new study investigated the association between children’s sensory reactivity and food fussiness, and the relationship between children's emotional reactivity. The researchers found no significant interactions between emotionality and sensory reactivity across taste, olfactory and tactile sensory domains in predicting food fussiness. They concluded that emotionality and sensory reactivity independently influence food fussiness in an additive way.
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