An overview & critical review of the Sensory Profile - second edition

The Sensory Profile-2 (SP-2) is the recently revised set of scales that provide information about a child's responses to different types of sensory stimuli.

To examine the methodological quality and psychometric properties of the SP-2 using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) and Quality Criteria for Health Status Questionnaires (QCHSQ).

The methodological quality and psychometric properties for each of the SP-2 scales were examined by two assessors using the COSMIN and QCHSQ.

The COSMIN revealed that the SP-2 demonstrated strengths in patient-related outcome measure design and internal consistency. However, hypothesis testing, cross-cultural validity and structural validity (construct validity) were notable shortcomings. The QCHSQ indicated the SP-2 has merits in its content validity and construct validity. The SP-2 manual reported insufficient evidence of its responsiveness, interpretability and criterion validity.

Informed assessment selection is fundamental for evidence-based and quality occupational therapy practice provision. Overall, the SP-2 is considered to have adequate psychometric properties, however users should be mindful of the identified shortcomings.

The review and critique of the SP-2 adds to the body of knowledge about the revised instrument and provides an objective perspective about its strengths and weaknesses.