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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Effect of sensory adaptation on anxiety of children with developmental disabilities: a new approach
Michele Shapiro1, Raphael N Melmed, Harold D Sgan-Cohen
1Issie Shapiro Center, Raanana, Israel. micheles@beitissie.org.il
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a sensory-adapted dental environment (SADE) on anxiety, relaxation, and cooperation of children with developmental disabilities (CDDs). Pharmacological treatment has been widely used to reduce anxiety, but nonpharmacological methods may be similarly effective. The standardized clinical situation chosen was a dental hygiene cleaning.
Methods:
A SADE was structured. Sixteen CDDs participated in an open cross-over intervention trial measuring behavioral and psychophysiological variables.
Results:
There was a substantial increase in relaxation and cooperation in the SADE as opposed to the regular dental environment (RDE). This was reflected by: mean duration of anxious behaviors (SADE = 9.04 minutes vs. RDE = 23.44 minutes; P < .01); mean magnitude of anxious behaviors (SADE = 8.49 vs. RDE = 15.50; P < .01); cooperation levels (SADE = 331 vs. RDE = 1.94; P < .01); mean electrodermal activity (EDA; SADE = 1230 vs. RDE = 446; P < .001); and difference in degree of relaxation by EDA (SADE=2014 vs. RDE=763; P < .004).
Conclusions:
The findings indicate the potential importance of considering the sensory-adapted environment as a preferable dental environment for this population.
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