Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety
Published on: November 11, 2022
Influence of adapted environment on the anxiety of medically treated children with developmental disability
Michele Shapiro1, Harold D Sgan-Cohen, Shula Parush
1Issie Shapiro Educational Centre, Raanana, Israel. micheles@beitissie.org.il
Objectives:
To examine the influence of a sensory adapted environment (SAE) on the behavior and arousal levels of children with developmental disability in comparison with typical children, during a stress-provoking medical situation.
Study Design:
Sixteen children (6-11 years old) with developmental disability and 19 age-matched typical children participated in a cross-over trial measuring behavioral and psychophysiological variables, performed during a dental intervention.
Results:
Both groups performed better in the SAE compared with the regular environment (RE), by comparing: the mean duration of anxious behaviors in the SAE and RE (5.26 and 13.56 minutes; P
Conclusions:
These findings indicate the importance of environment in determining the comfort level of all children. The greater difference in the 2 environments observed in children with developmental disability suggests that this group benefits more from sensory adapted environments.
Related Concept Videos
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Natural Selection and Adaptation
Beyond physical adaptations, psychological...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...