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(A35) How to Find Funding for Your Research
CourseHow to Find Funding for Your Studies and Research
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(G72) Top Tips for Applying Research Evidence in Your Clinical Practice
CourseThis webinar aims to simplify the process of integrating research evidence into your clinical practice.
Free
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(A31) SI Research Knowledge Bank
CourseSI Research Knowledge Bank
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(G50) Transferrable Skills Developed from a Dissertation
CourseIn this 60-minute webinar, we will explore the breadth of transferrable skills you can develop while carrying out a dissertation.
Free
THE EVIDENCE BASE AND SUPPORT FOR RESEARCHERS
Sensory Research
Sensory Research: The Evidence Base
Why is Sensory Research Important?
Sensory research is essential to advance our understanding of the processes involved in sensory integration and enable evidence-based decision-making around helpful environmental adaptations and therapies.
How to Understand and Navigate Research: A Guide for Parents
Identifying high-quality, reputable research that addresses your family’s immediate needs can help parents to make better-informed decisions. This guide to navigating research provides parents with easy-to-understand explanations of the different kinds of research and how to interpret that research. Although the guide is aimed at parents of autistic children, the information provided concerning sourcing and evaluating research also applies to sensory integration and sensory processing topics.
What Evidence is There to Support Sensory Integration?
There is growing evidence supporting the underpinning theory of sensory integration and the effective use of sensory integration based therapy.
Sensory Integration Recognised as Evidence-Based Practice by US Child Development Research Body
Recent papers supporting evidence for the use of SI Therapy, Ayres Sensory Integration® Therapy (ASI) and Sensory Modulation Approaches include:
Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Brazil
Occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration® was effective in enhancing self-care, socialisation, and goal attainment for children with ASD in a Brazilian cohort.
Occupational Therapy Using an Ayres Sensory Integration® Approach for School-Age Children – A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of occupational therapy, with ASI® interventions, for school-age children with SI problems through randomised controlled trials in Hong Kong. The results indicate that the ASI® intervention is effective in treating children with SI problems.
Sensory Integration Based Program Developed According to the Model of Creative Ability in an Individual with Schizophrenia: An Occupational Therapy Case Report
This study demonstrated that a developmental occupational therapy program, including sensory integration-based behaviours and abilities, can improve sensory processing skills, positive and negative symptoms, cognitive symptoms, and creative ability levels in individuals with schizophrenia who receive support.
Use of Sensory Modulation Approaches to Improve Compression Garment Adherence in Adults After Burn: An E-Delphi Study
This study sought expert consensus on the usefulness of, and recommendations for, sensory modulation strategies to improve compression garment adherence in sensory over-responsive adults after burn. The authors concluded that, with adequate therapist training and individualised assessment and treatment, sensory modulation strategies may be a useful clinical approach to improving compression garment adherence in those who are sensory over-responsive after burn.
Therapy Based on Sensory Integration in a Case of Autism Spectrum Disorder With Food Selectivity
This study aimed to analyse the relationship between food selectivity and sensory processing dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorder and monitor their evolution with a therapeutic approach to sensory intervention. The authors found that the occupational therapy treatment with a sensory integration approach obtained favourable results in terms of food acceptance and decreased selectivity.
Case Report: ASI Intervention on a Child With Autism in Saudi Arabia
This study documented the barriers associated with ASI in Saudi Arabia and assessed whether the intervention could improve process and participation skills. The authors found that despite the limited availability of resources (e.g., toys, treatment spaces) and Arabic measures, improvements were observed on motor and sensory tasks and in occupational performance.
Effectiveness of Sensory Modulation for People With Schizophrenia: A Multisite Quantitative Prospective Cohort Study
This study provides evidence to suggest that sensory modulation interventions can be complementary to standard care when utilised appropriately in clinical settings. Findings also suggest that the sensory profile of people with schizophrenia differs from that of the general population, which may have clinical implications.
Evaluating the Long-Term Effectiveness of an Intensive OT Sensory Integration (OT-SI) Program for Children With Challenges in Sensory Processing and Integration
This study aimed to explore whether children could maintain improvements after OT services ended and to understand parent perspectives of OT using a sensory integration approach. The results from this study showed that children who completed the OT-SI program at CCHMC maintained improvements 6-12 months after the intervention. Themes from parent/caregiver interviews identified strengths and perceived benefits of OT-SI programs as well as potential areas for improvement for OT-SI programs.
Sensory Integrative-Based Occupational Therapy and Functional Outcomes in Young Children With Pervasive Developmental Disorders: A Single-Subject Study
This single-subject study explored the effects of sensory integrative-based occupational therapy provided in an outpatient clinic on the functional behaviours of two young children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) at home. The study’s findings support the application of sensory integrative-based occupational therapy as a part of the services provided to some children with PDD.
An Intervention for Sensory Difficulties in Children With Autism: A Randomized Trial
This study evaluated a manualised intervention for sensory difficulties for children with autism, ages 4-8 years, using a randomised trial design. Diagnosis of autism was confirmed using gold standard measures. Results showed that the children who received 30 sessions of the occupational therapy intervention scored significantly higher on Goal Attainment Scales. They also scored significantly better on measures of caregiver assistance in self-care and socialisation than the usual care control group. The study shows high rigour in its measurement of treatment fidelity and use of a manualised protocol, and provides support for the use of this intervention for children with autism.
The Effects of Occupational Therapy With Sensory Integration Emphasis on Preschool-age Children With Autism
Researchers examined the effects of an occupational therapy intervention that emphasised sensory integration on five preschool children with autism using a single-subject research design. The results support descriptions in the literature regarding the behavioural changes that children with autism can make when participating in intervention using a sensory integration approach.
Effectiveness of Sensory Integration Interventions in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study
This pilot study aimed to establish a model for randomised controlled trial research, identify appropriate outcome measures, and address the effectiveness of sensory integration (SI) interventions in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Results identified significant positive changes in Goal Attainment Scaling scores for both groups; more significant changes occurred in the SI group, and a significant decrease in autistic mannerisms occurred in the SI group.
Systematic Review of Sensory Processing in Preterm Children Reveals Abnormal Sensory Modulation, Somatosensory Processing and Sensory-Based Motor Processing
This review aimed to systematically identify assessments, incidence, and nature of sensory processing disorder in preterm-born infants and children. The authors concluded that preterm-born children exhibited elevated risk for sensory processing disorder from infancy into school age. Routine screening of sensory processing, intervention intervals and parental consultations should be considered in ameliorating sensory processing and neurocognitive development.
What Tests Are Available for Sensory Assessment?
Clinicians use various sensory integration assessment tools to gather evidence to help make data-driven decisions when working with clients with sensory integration or sensory processing difficulties. Check out our page on Sensory Integration Assessment Tools.
How Can I Keep Up-To-Date With Sensory Research?
The principles underpinning a sensory integration approach build on research from diverse fields of study, including neurophysiology, psychology, and child development. Research in these areas (and sensory integration and processing research more specifically) is moving forward with speed. As the body of knowledge evolves and expands, our duty as educators and therapists is to critically examine and take the learning points into our research and practice.
Sensory Integration Education has supported and shared research into sensory integration and sensory processing, for nearly three decades. Here are the easy ways that you can keep up to date with sensory research:
Lifelong Learning Programme
Our Lifelong Learning Programme can be your trusted companion, supporting and informing you with expertise and peer support. Membership also includes access to the SI Research Knowledge Bank, an ever-growing searchable sensory research database.
SI Research Digests
SIE produces a monthly summary of recent and topic-related peer-reviewed papers via our monthly newsletter EmphaSIze. You can subscribe for free to EmphaSIze here or view previous Research Digests here.
SensorNet
SensorNet Magazine, established in 1996, is a twice-yearly free publication. It features in-depth interviews with the practitioners and researchers pushing the frontiers of sensory integration theory and practice.
SIE Annual Conference
Join us at our free virtual conference each year to watch presentations from leading international practitioners and experts by experience. Our popular conference includes updates from research authors and poster presentations from early career researchers. If you are not a member, join SIE for free and look out for emails about the upcoming free conference. Find out more about the free SIE Annual Conference here.
Researcher Support Services and Grant Awards
Sensory Integration Education awards research grants and provides practical assistance to support the development of evidence and best practice relating to sensory integration across the lifespan.
Our support includes financial awards and support in recruiting research participants and disseminating finished research. We aim to build the skills of early career researchers working to contribute to the national and international evidence base for SI.
How Can I Find Participants for My Sensory Research?
You can apply to have your request for research participants shared on SIE’s social media, newsletters and forums. See the section on Recruitment Support below.
SI Research Poster Presentations
How satisfying would it be to see your work recognised in a poster presentation at the next SIE Annual Conference? Showcase your work to a supportive community and add another point to your professional experience. We welcome submissions in any of the following areas:
- Clinical outcomes, evaluation, or innovation
- Service development, evaluation, or innovation
- Recent research or implementation of findings
There are two types of submission: a stand-alone virtual poster or a virtual poster with a pre-recorded 5-minute presentation. If you are not already a member, join SIE for free and look out for emails about the calls for poster presentation abstracts.
Sensory Research Grants
Research Themes
Sensory Integration Education research grants support the development of evidence relating to Sensory Integration across the Lifespan: The Art and Science. All grant applications must demonstrate contribution to one or more of the following key research themes:
- Evidence From Within the Field of Neuroscience
- Assessment and Measures of SI and Sensory Processing Difficulties
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Evidence For the Treatment of Sensory Processing Difficulties:
- Ayres' Sensory Integration Therapy
- Sensory Strategies
We will support quality research projects that provide robust evidence that is clearly relevant to service users, carers, and/or the organisation and delivery of effective services.
Practitioners and service users should be involved where appropriate. Close collaboration between academic and service provider organisations is also encouraged.
Grant Awards
We make the following five grant awards available to Lifelong Learning Programme members each calendar year.
MSc Research Projects Grant (£5,000)
These grants will support research activity undertaken as part of a Master’s programme where the research project focuses on advancing sensory integration knowledge and/or aligned with the key research themes.
PhD Research Projects Grant (£5,000)
These grants support the research activity undertaken as part of a PhD or Doctorate programme where the research project focuses on one or more of the key research themes. Alternatively, experienced researchers who may be experts in other fields and are not eligible for SI practitioner status, such as Psychology or Neuroscience, may apply for funding to develop their knowledge of Ayres’ SI theory and practice in order to complete a proposed research project as part of their PhD.
Small Projects/Studies Grant (£7,000)
These grants support small pilot studies and/or single case study experimental design or qualitative studies reflecting the key research themes (above) with a clinical focus. Grants may be awarded to clinicians, health practitioners and new researchers.
Dissemination of Research Grant (£3,000)
These grants will contribute to conference attendance, where research results relating to topics aligned with sensory integration theory and practice will be disseminated. Additionally, the grant can be used to develop skills for publishing research adhering to the SI research themes.
Recruitment support
We will promote research on our online forums, publications and to our members relating to the research themes above.
Click here to register for free and access the Researcher Support and Grant Awards application forms.
Where Can I Get Advice About Publishing My Sensory Research?
We recommend joining the Lifelong Learning Programme, which will give you access to a friendly community of practitioners, including those who have published research, and more detailed resources on conducting and funding research.
This article, SI Research: The Journey to Publication, may also be helpful.
