Sensory modulation interventions for adults with mental illness: A scoping review.
Nayantara R Kandlur, Ashmica Claire Fernandes, Suzanna Rupal Gerard and 2 others
PMID 38027047WHAT IT FOUND
Most studies included in this review were pilot, qualitative, mixed-method or single-case reports.
They described reduced distress, anxiety or agitation, but did not prove the interventions work.
Key findings
01The review included 17 studies of sensory modulation interventions for adults with mental illness, mostly pilot, qualitative, mixed-method or single-case designs.
02Across the included studies, reported effects included reduced distress, anxiety, stress, agitation and somatic concerns, and improved self-soothing, self-perception, emotional regulation, self-management and interpersonal engagement.
03The review identified practical facilitators, such as bedside or mobile sensory items, and barriers, such as ongoing item cost, loss or breakage, locked storage and inconsistent use.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
This is a scoping review, so it maps what has been studied rather than testing whether sensory modulation interventions work. Most included studies were pilots, qualitative reports, mixed-method studies or single cases, and only one was a case-control study, so the evidence is not strong. The review searched only English publications, which may have missed relevant studies. The interventions varied widely in setting, items, duration and outcome, making it difficult to know which component helps. The authors note a risk of bias in the included studies and in their own review process.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest and received no financial support for the research, authorship or publication.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that sensory modulation interventions are proven effective for adults with mental illness. The review mapped mostly pilot, qualitative, mixed-method or single-case studies, included only one case-control study, and one included study found no specific effect. The interventions varied widely, so the contribution of any single item cannot be separated.