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Sensory processing difficulties in psychiatric disorders: A meta-analysis.
Frank van den Boogert1, Katharina Klein2, Pascalle Spaan1
1Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Research, Transfore, 7416 SB, Deventer, the Netherlands.
Journal of Psychiatric Research
|April 30, 2022
Summary
Individuals with psychiatric disorders often experience sensory processing difficulties. This meta-analysis found a common pattern of sensory issues across various conditions, suggesting a transdiagnostic link.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Processing Research
Background:
- Individuals with psychiatric disorders frequently report sensory processing challenges.
- These challenges include heightened sensitivity or awareness of external stimuli.
- Sensory processing difficulties may represent a shared characteristic across diverse psychiatric conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To meta-analyze sensory processing patterns in adolescents and adults with psychiatric disorders.
- To identify common sensory processing profiles across a broad spectrum of psychiatric conditions.
- To investigate sensory processing as a potential transdiagnostic phenotype.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across multiple databases.
- Inclusion of 33 studies with a total of 2008 participants.
- Utilized the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) for all included studies.
Main Results:
- A consistent pattern of sensory processing was observed across psychiatric disorders.
- Elevated low registration, sensory sensitivity, and sensory avoiding behaviors were detected.
- Lowered sensory seeking behavior was also a common finding.
- Effect sizes for these differences were predominantly large to very large.
Conclusions:
- Sensory processing difficulties are a non-specific, transdiagnostic feature in psychiatric disorders.
- These findings highlight the broad relevance of sensory processing in mental health.
- Further research may enhance prognosis and treatment strategies for psychiatric conditions.
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