Abstract
Adults with mental health concerns are increasingly seeking out sensory-based interventions. Knowledge of their sensory features, along with their interoceptive capacities, can inform intervention related to participation in daily life.
Primary Author and Speaker: Sarah A. Schoen
Additional Authors and Speakers: Carolyn M. Schmitt
Contributing Authors: Lynn Grasso
Research reveals that individuals with mental illness experience sensory processing differences impacting daily life (Baillard & Whigham, 2017). A primary focus of this study was on characterizing adults seeking services for sensory differences who have comorbid mental health concerns. A retrospective, exploratory study examined data from a chart review. Fifty-seven charts met inclusion criteria for adults over 18 who completed a comprehensive occupational therapy evaluation, which confirmed the presence of sensory differences impacting daily life. Data were extracted from four primary sources: the Sensory Processing 3 Dimensions Occupational Performance Scale (OPS), the Sensory Processing Measure – 2 (SPM-2), the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (MAIA-2) and self-report of comorbid mental health concerns. Analyses included scores on each measure and Spearman correlations among the scales. The top reported mental health concerns were anxiety and depression; 100% of the sample had interoceptive differences compared to norms on the MAIA-2 (Mehling, et al., 2018); on the SPM-2, 98% scored above the mean in the auditory domain and 85% had a sensory total above the mean. Relationships and Routines at home scored lowest on the OPS indicating low perceived competence in those areas. These significant correlations were found between MAIA-2 and OPS as well as between SPM-2 and OPS: Attention regulation with Relationships (.44) and Free time (.39); Not-distracting with Routines (.40) and Free Time (.35), Sensory total with Home activities (.59), Routines (.56) and Relationships (.45); Planning with Home activities (.50) and Free time (.49). Findings suggest a link among interoception, sensory processing, and meaningful participation in daily life. Adults with mental health concerns should receive a comprehensive evaluation that includes the assessment of sensory integration and processing, interoception and participation.
Baillard, A.L. & Whigham, S. C. (2017). Linking neuroscience, function and intervention: A scoping review of sensory processing and mental illness. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy , 7(5), 7105100040p1–7105100040p18. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.024497
Mehling, W.E., Acree, M., Steward, A. Silas, J. & Jones, A. (2018). The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (MAIA-2). Plos One, 13(12): e0208034. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208034
Schmitt, C.M. & Schoen, S. A. (2022). Interoception: A multi-sensory foundation of participation in daily life. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.875200