Date Presented 03/26/20
Despite the coexistence of sensory modulation disorder (SMD), anxiety, and altered interoceptive awareness (AIA) in adults, correlations between these constructs are limited in existing literature. This study examined a sample of over 150 typical adults and found moderate correlations between SMD, anxiety, AIA, and quality of life. Understanding correlations between these constructs may contribute to a better understanding of impact on occupations and more efficacious OT interventions.
Primary Author and Speaker: Vanessa Mitchell
Additional Authors and Speakers: Christine Kim
Contributing Authors: Natalie Nguyen, Sara Laughter
PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between sensory modulation, anxiety, and interoception in typical adults. According to Ayres, the body integrates sensory input from the environment to create appropriate adaptive responses (Ayres, 1979). Disruptions in the process of sensory integration (SI) can significantly impact a person’s life. The most commonly identified disruption is sensory modulation disorder (SMD), which is the inability to appropriately grade responses to sensation from the environment (Wilbarger & Stackhouse, 1998). The negative impacts of SMD, anxiety, and altered interoceptive awareness (AIA) on mental health and daily occupations reinforced the need for the study. The absence of literature examining the relationship between all three topics of SMD, AIA, and anxiety in any populations further reinforced the need for this study.
DESIGN: This exploratory, cross-sectional study examined correlations between two independent variables: (1) SMD, (2) AIA, and two dependent variables: (1) anxiety, (2) QOL. All participants were 18 years of age or older, typically functioning, and all genders, ethnicities, and races were welcome to participate. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling method in California via social media, fliers posted on public bulletin boards, and word of mouth. No direct reimbursement or compensation was given to participants. Participants had the option to be entered into a lottery to receive one of two $50 Visa gift cards.
METHODS: Data was collected via a self report questionnaire on Google Forms including: State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Sensory Responsiveness Questionnaire (SRQ), and Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of participants, means, and the standard deviations. Correlations between all constructs were measured using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Data was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 22).
RESULTS: A preliminary data analysis of 108 participants showed significant, moderate correlations between all three constructs. There is a significant positive correlation between AIA and trait anxiety, SMD and state anxiety, SMD and trait anxiety, and AIA and SMD. SMD and trait anxiety are associated with decreased QOL. State anxiety is associated with increased QOL. SMD appears to significantly predict poorer physical and emotional QOL. Preliminary findings did not determine an association between AIA and QOL. Although AIA, SMD, and anxiety are related to each other, how they affect QOL appears to be different. Further analysis of specific subcategories of QOL will provide insight into why each condition is related to QOL in such a way.
CONCLUSION: Discerning the interrelationship between SMD, AIA, and anxiety provides the first step toward developing effective OT interventions and treatment plans for people with anxiety and difficulties with sensory integration. Potential limitations include participants who considered themselves to be typical adults though are unaware of their AIA, sensory modulation difficulties, and/or anxious tendencies. Preliminary findings of this study indicate a need for further research in this area with different populations.
IMPACT STATEMENT: Given the co-occurrence of SMD, AIA, anxiety and mental health issues, the purpose of this study was to identify and begin to identify correlations between the impacts of the three constructs and QOL. Understanding these relationships is the first step in developing effective intervention and treatment measures for people with sensory processing and anxiety disorders.
References
Ayres, A. J. (1979). Sensory integration and the child. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.
Wilbarger, J., & Stackhouse, T. (1998, September 12). Sensory Modulation: A Review of the Literature [Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.ot-innovations.com/clinical-practice/sensory-modulation/sensory-modulation-a-review-of-the-literature/.
