Validity of the Sensory Balance Test to Screen Children for Sensory Processing Impairments

Abstract

This study examines the validity of the Sensory Balance Test (SBT), which uses the technology of computerized dynamic posturography, to screen children for sensory processing impairments. Twenty typically developing children and 20 children with sensory processing impairments were administered the SBT under six different sensory conditions. The results show that children's sensory balance composite scores (SBT summary score) are associated with their sensory processing functioning status (adjusted odds ratio = 0.97; 95% confidence interval = [0.95, 0.99], p = .004). Children's sensory balance composite scores, together with age and gender, successfully predicted their current sensory processing functioning status as the predicted status had excellent agreement with children's current status (Kappa = 0.80). Typically developing children performed significantly better than children with sensory processing impairments while tested under sensory conflict conditions. Findings from this study support that the SBT is an appropriate and effective tool to screen children for possible sensory processing impairments.