A sensory intervention to improve sleep behaviours and sensory processing behaviours of children with sensory processing disorders

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate if a sensory intervention of moderate pressure touch of children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) affects sleep behaviors and sensory processing behaviors. Design/methodology/approach A total of 50 children, aged 5–11 years with both SPD and sleep difficulties in Israel, were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group, nonblinded. Participants in the experimental group received three weeks of nightly massage by their parents, with a baseline week on both ends. Parents filled out questionnaires reporting on sensory and sleep behaviors and filled out a nightly sleep log. Parents determined outcome goals using goal attainment scoring. The assessment tools used were the short sensory profile and the child sleep habits questionnaire (Dunn, 1999; Owens et al., 2000). Findings Significant improvement was found in the total and subgroup scores of sleep participation measures including sleep onset, sleep anxiety, parasomnias, sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, as well as the total sleep score (F (1,48) = 24.71, p < 0.001). Originality/value Results of this study suggest that consistent application of moderate pressure touch as advised or trained by an occupational therapist may be used in clinical practice to improve sleep participation in children with SPD.

Neuronal gating of tactile input and sleep in 10-month-old infants at typical and elevated likelihood for autism spectrum disorder

“…This suggests that interventions which target tactile input to improve sleep may be particularly fruitful. An encouraging first step was made by a study showing that sleep quality improved in a group of children with sensory processing disorder that received a massage before bedtime 56 . Since both sensory atypicalities and sleep disturbances are common in the early development of ASD, early interventions focussed on reducing sensory input or sensitivity have the potential to alleviate sleep difficulties with positive downstream effects on cognitive development and wellbeing.…”