Relationships Between Sensory Processing and Play Experiences Among Healthy Community-Dwelling Older Adults

PURPOSE: Older adults (OAs) age 65 and above experience physical, cognitive, and social changes that may affect their ability or desire to participate in many activities. The normal aging process and resulting physical limitations may increase OAs’ experience of loneliness and decrease their quality of life (QOL). Often an OA’s social network decreases, leaving him or her more prone to being disengaged and uninvolved in meaningful activities. Sensory processing (SP) influences the way individuals participate in meaningful occupations (Kinnealey, Koenig, & Smith, 2011; Pohl, Dunn, & Brown, 2003). While evidence about the relationship between SP and the experience of play, leisure, and social participation is growing, such studies have focused on individuals who are younger than age 65. There are few studies on the SP profiles of individuals in the OA population and, to the authors’ knowledge, no research analyzing how each OA’s personal SP pattern may affect his or her QOL and play experiences.

The purpose of this study is to understand whether there are any relationships between OAs’ sensory preferences and play experiences. By researching these relationships, occupational therapists may develop effective interventions to help OAs overcome barriers that affect their community engagement. Since research has shown that OAs who are more socially engaged are healthier and more independent than their more isolated peers, demand is growing for health providers to find successful ways to help the burgeoning OA population engage in meaningful occupations, maintain a high QOL, and increase their participation in society.

DESIGN: This is a quantitative correlational research design that used a self-report questionnaire. The researchers used purposive sampling from 10 senior centers in the Santa Clara Valley region. The participants were given a paper questionnaire to complete. The researchers also used a convenience snowball sample of each researcher’s personal contacts who were recruited online to complete an electronic questionnaire. For the purpose of this study, the Adult Sensory Processing Scale (ASPS; Blanche, Parham, Chang, & Mallinson, 2014) and the Daily Occupational Experience Survey (DOES; Blanche, 2007) were used. Using IBM SPSS Statistics, the data were analyzed using a two-tailed Pearson correlations.

RESULTS: The results from 150 participants show many relationships between OAs’ SP patterns and play experience factors sought in preferred activities. For example, tolerance of movement was significantly correlated with enjoying creative activities or activities that are serious and have a clear goal or purpose. It can be inferred that those who are intolerant of movement tend to enjoy activities that are lighthearted and brief. For example, an OA with this pattern may enjoy weekly bingo games or reading to their grandchild. These results add to the body of research on sensory integration by providing data on this topic in the OA population.

CONCLUSION: Successful engagement in one’s physical and social environment is an integral part of higher QOL for OAs. Occupational therapists can use the data found in this study to support using a SP theory as a treatment rationale when providing treatment for clients ages 65 yr and older. The ASPS and DOES may also be used in the future to identify play and leisure activities that support an OA’s sensory needs and occupational performance within his or her natural environments. Establishing a link between SP and preferred play experiences enables occupational therapists to serve the OA community in more effective and client-centered ways.

References

Blanche, E. I. (2007). The expression of creativity through occupation. Journal of Occupational Science, 14, 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2007.9686580

Blanche, E. I., Parham, D., Chang, M., & Mallinson, T. (2014). Development of an Adult Sensory Processing Scale (ASPS). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68, 531–538. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.012484

Kinnealey, M., Koenig, K. P., & Smith, S. (2011). Relationships between sensory modulation and social supports and health-related quality of life. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 320–327. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2011.001370

Pohl, P. S., Dunn, W., & Brown, C. (2003). The role of sensory processing in the everyday lives of older adults. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 23, 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1177/153944920302300303