Higher Tactile Temporal Resolution as a Basis of Hypersensitivity in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Masakazu Ide, Ayako Yaguchi, Misako Sano and 2 others
PMID 30019275WHAT IT FOUND
The autism and typically developing groups did not differ in touch timing resolution or reported sensory hypersensitivity.
In the autism group, more precise touch timing was linked to more reported hypersensitivity.
Key findings
01Temporal resolution of vibrotactile stimuli did not differ between the autism and typically developing groups.
02Self-reported sensory sensitivity and avoidance did not differ between the autism and typically developing groups.
03Within the autism group, temporal resolution was correlated with self-reported sensory sensitivity and sensory avoiding.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample was small, with 13 participants in each group for the timing task and 11 participants with autism and 12 typically developing participants for the detection task. The autism and typically developing groups differed in full-scale IQ in the timing task, so that difference could affect comparisons. The main group comparisons were null, so the study does not show that autism changes tactile temporal resolution or detection threshold and sensitivity. The associations with sensory hypersensitivity were within the autism group and not shown in the typically developing group, so they do not establish cause or treatment effect. One participant initially recruited as typically developing was moved to the autism group because of high autistic-trait scores.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that autism causes higher tactile temporal resolution or hypersensitivity. The autism and typically developing groups did not differ in temporal resolution or sensory questionnaire scores, and the association was only within the autism group.