Convergent validity of two adult self-report sensory scales: Comparing the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Sensory Processing Measure 2-Adult Form

INTRODUCTION

Occupational therapists use standardised scales and measures to assess an individual's sensory processing factors. To date, few studies have investigated the correlations between the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (A/ASP) and the Sensory Processing Measure 2-Adult Form (SPM-2-Adult). The aim of the project is to investigate the association between the sensory processing factors measured by the A/ASP and SPM-2-Adult when completed by the same group of adult participants, with an additional research question investigating whether any significant differences existed between sensory processing scores based on participants' self-reported gender identity.

METHODS

Forty-two adults aged 18-30 completed the A/ASP and the SPM-2-Adult. Associations between the A/ASP quadrant and the SPM-2-Adult subscales were examined using Spearman's rho correlation coefficients, and differences between participants based on their self-reported gender identity were investigated using Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS

Statistically significant correlations were obtained between the A/ASP Low Registration, Sensory Sensitivity, and Sensation Avoiding quadrant subscales and all nine of the SPM-2-Adult subscales ranging from weak (rho = 0.342, p < 0.027) to strong (rho = 0.790, p < 0.001) correlations. The A/ASP Sensation Seeking quadrant subscale was only significantly correlated with the SPM-2-Adult Social Participation subscale (rho = -0.416, p = 0.006). Three subscales had statistically significant differences based on gender identity: SPM-2-Adult Vision (p = 0.007), SPM-2-Adult Sensory Total (p = 0.048), and A/ASP Sensory Sensitivity (p = 0.043).

CONSUMER AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Consumers and community members were not involved in the design, execution, or write-up of the study results.

CONCLUSION

The A/ASP and the SPM-2-Adult had several subscales that were significantly correlated with one another. Of note, significant associations were achieved between the A/ASP Low Registration, Sensory Sensitivity, and Sensation Avoiding quadrant subscales and all nine of the SPM-2-Adult subscales. These findings make a significant preliminary contribution to the psychometric body of evidence related to the sensory processing assessment of adults.

Adolescents' and Adults' Perceptions of Sensory-Based Interventions: A Qualitative Analysis

IMPORTANCE

Adolescents and adults report that their sensory integration and processing differences affect their occupational performance and quality of life, thus requiring effective sensory-focused interventions. Researchers have yet to investigate this population's experience of occupational therapy interventions designed to remediate these challenges.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the perceived experience of adolescents and adults with respect to (1) response to intervention, (2) strategies offered to manage sensory differences, and (3) need for services on completion of an intervention.

DESIGN

Retrospective, qualitative study.

SETTING

Zoom or phone call.

PARTICIPANTS

Eleven adolescents and adults with sensory integration and processing differences who had previously completed occupational therapy interventions.

INTERVENTION

Sensory-based intervention based on the principles of Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) and the Sensory Therapies and Research Frame of Reference.

OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

A semistructured interview to obtain data, followed by an in-depth analysis using an inductive coding process to group initial open codes into themes and common subthemes Results: Open codes were grouped into three core themes: (1) therapist-related factors (what the therapist did in treatment); (2) client-related factors (what the client experienced); and (3) follow-up (future needs of the clients). Four main subthemes of the client-therapist relationship emerged: (1) therapeutic alliance; (2) education and knowledge; (3) strategies, tools, and resources; and (4) future needs.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study provides a perspective on the experience of adolescents and adults specific to the impact of a sensory-focused occupational therapy intervention on their daily lives. This will help occupational therapists when designing interventions for current and future clients. What This Article Adds: This study highlights the need for further research addressing effective sensory-based interventions for adolescents and adults. It also captures which components of intervention clients deemed helpful and identifies potential targets for future intervention.

Sensory Processing and Autistic Traits: Mediation Effect of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry

A sensory processing approach can be used to intervene with behaviours in individuals with autistic symptoms. However, neural mechanisms linking sensory processing patterns and autistic features are less understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether frontal alpha asymmetry could mediate the relationship between atypical sensory processing and autistic traits. Seventy-three neurotypical young adults were included in this study. Resting-state brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography. After the recording, participants completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. Frontal alpha asymmetry was calculated by subtracting left frontal alpha power from right frontal alpha power. Correlation analysis was performed to find which sensory processing patterns were related to frontal alpha asymmetry and autistic traits. Mediation analysis was then conducted with sensory avoiding patterns as an independent variable, autistic traits as a dependent variable, and frontal alpha asymmetry as a mediator. Interrelations between higher sensation avoiding patterns, greater right-sided cortical activity, and increased autistic traits were found. The sensation avoiding patterns affected autistic traits directly and indirectly through right-sided cortical activity. Findings of the current study demonstrate a mediating role of frontal alpha asymmetry in the relationship between sensation avoiding patterns and autistic traits in neurotypical adults. This study suggests that sensation avoiding patterns and withdrawal-related emotions, which are associated with right-sided cortical activity, need to be considered to improve autism symptoms.

The application of adapted dialectical behaviour therapy concepts and skills in the treatment of adults with autistic spectrum disorder who display challenging or offending behaviours

Purpose

Despite some advances in the assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there remains a paucity of intervention and research literature in treating adults with ASD. There is growing evidence supporting a relationship between the core features of ASD and emotion dysregulation. There is an overlap between ASD and borderline personality disorder (BPD) characteristics such as emotional dysregulation, sensory issues and social skills deficits. This paper aims to explore the applications of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) concepts and skills in treating ASD individuals who display challenging or offending behaviours. The similarities in characteristics between ASD and BPD and the core issue of emotion dysregulation hold promise in the utility of DBT with ASD.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper that includes a case vignette.

Findings

A DBT-informed treatment approach using the adaptations and reconceptualization, i.e. risky mind–wise mind outlined in this paper, can be considered promising in addressing issues for ASD individuals, particularly those with challenging and/or offending behaviours. DBT incorporates different elements of applied behaviour analysis, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness skills, sensory-based treatments, psychosocial interventions and emotion regulation skills, which makes it a more cohesive and integrated approach to treatment. The authors assert that DBT can be considered a more integrated, strengths-based, habilitative and trauma-informed approach which can be promising in its application to address challenging behaviours or offending in ASD individuals.

Research limitations/implications

It is recommended that research be carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of adapted DBT programs in treating ASD individuals presenting with challenging and/or offending behaviours. Future research can focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the different DBT concepts and skills and the different DBT modules to determine which components of the program are particularly useful for this client group.

Practical implications

Treatment manuals have already been developed for clients with intellectual disability and developmental disabilities who exhibit challenging and/or offending behaviour; hence, it is recommended that modifications be made to make it more applicable and appropriate for ASD individuals. Modifications should address ASD-specific issues (e.g. black and white thinking, cognitive rigidity, sensory issues, impaired theory of mind, emotion dysregulation issues, social skills deficits and anxiety issues). The use of DBT has much wider implications regarding addressing comorbid mental health conditions and personality issues in this client group.

Originality/value

There are limited psychological interventions that prove to be useful for individuals with ASD with complex presentations and challenging or offending behaviours. This paper discusses the application of adapted DBT concepts and skills that appear to be promising in the treatment of this client group.

Relationship between Sensory Processing and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review

Background: Sensory processing has been described as the ability to register, modulate, and organize sensory information to respond to environmental demands. Different theoretical approaches have studied the differential characteristics of sensory processing, such as Dunn’s model. From this framework, high sensitivity in sensory processing has been described as responses to stimuli from environment quite often due to a rapid activation of the central nervous system. It should be noted that the association between high sensitivity in sensory processing and health outcomes obtained in different studies are not homogeneous, so it is necessary to develop a review of this research in order to clarify the relationship between sensory processing and quality of life. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the relevant studies using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and ProQuest databases to assess how sensory processing patterns are related to quality of life. Results: Fourteen studies concerning sensory processing and quality of life were included in the review. Some studies indicate negative, moderate, and significant correlations between these variables in which high sensitivity is related to a poor quality of life in the population studied. Conclusions: High sensitivity in sensory processing could have a negative impact on quality of life, thereby facilitating a fluctuation in well-being, daily functioning, and health.

The Influence of Fitness-App Usage on Psychological Well-Being and Body Awareness-A Daily Diary Randomized Trial

Self-tracking via fitness apps is popular and has been described as a means to enhance body awareness and well-being. However, the effects of fitness-app use and specific app functions on well-being and body awareness have yet to be targeted in controlled experimental studies. In two randomized groups, a fitness tracker was used for 6 weeks, and in one group a daily step target was implemented. In a third control group, participants documented their physical activity. A daily diary method was used to measure well-being and body trusting. In Bayesian multilevel analyses, no time, group, or interaction effects were found. These results were robust when controlling for diverse variables. It can be concluded that exercise-related self-tracking and specific step goals do not substantially influence psychological well-being and body trusting. Considering the large variability in effects, potential effects can be assumed under conditions that are to be identified in further studies.