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Relationship between play and sensory processing: a systematic review

Tara Watts1, Karen Stagnitti2, Ted Brown3

  • 1Tara Watts, BOT (Hons), is Research Student, Occupational Science and Therapy Program, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University-Waterfront Campus, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy : Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association
|March 4, 2014
PubMed

Insights

This systematic review found limited evidence, primarily from case and cohort studies, on the relationship between play and sensory processing in children aged 3-12. More research is needed to understand this connection.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Play is crucial for child development.
  • Sensory processing impacts a child's interaction with their environment.
  • Understanding the link between play and sensory processing is vital for therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review empirical evidence on the relationship between play and sensory processing in children aged 3-12 years.
  • To identify the current state of research in this area.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
  • Academic databases were searched using keywords: play, leisure, sensory processing, and sensory integration.
  • Eight full-text articles met the inclusion criteria after screening 6,230 initial articles.

Main Results:

  • All included studies were conducted in the United States.
  • The evidence base for the relationship between play and sensory processing primarily consists of low-level evidence, such as case studies and cohort studies.
  • The findings indicate an emerging understanding of the play-sensory processing connection.

Conclusions:

  • Occupational therapists can gain an emerging understanding of the play-sensory processing relationship from this review.
  • The importance of this relationship in children's occupational development is highlighted.
  • There is a significant need for more rigorous research to strengthen the evidence base.

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