Effects of sensory integration intervention on self-stimulating and self-injurious behaviors

Sinclair A. Smith, Bracha Press, Kristie P. Koenig, Moya Kinnealey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study compared the effects of occupational therapy, using a sensory integration (SI) approach and a control intervention of tabletop activities, on the frequency of self-stimulating behaviors in seven children 8-19 years of age with pervasive developmental delay and mental retardation. Daily 15-min videotape segments of the subjects were recorded before, immediately after, and 1 hour after either SI or control interventions performed during alternating weeks for 4 weeks. Each 15-min video segment was evaluated by investigators to determine the frequency of self-stimulating behaviors. The results indicate that self-stimulating behaviors were significantly reduced by 11% one hour after SI intervention in comparison with the tabletop activity intervention (p = 0.02). There was no change immediately following SI or tabletop interventions. Daily ratings of self-stimulating behavior frequency by classroom teachers using a 5-point scale correlated significantly with the frequency counts taken by the investigators (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). These results suggest that the sensory integration approach is effective in reducing self-stimulating behaviors, which interfere with the ability to participate in more functional activities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)418-425
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Occupational Therapy
Volume59
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • sensory integration
  • sensory integration intervention
  • self-injurious behaviors
  • self-stimulating behaviors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rehabilitation
  • General Health Professions

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