A randomized controlled pilot study of the effectiveness of occupational therapy for children with sensory modulation disorder.
OBJECTIVE
A pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the effectiveness of occupational therapy using a sensory integration approach (OT-SI) was conducted with children who had sensory modulation disorders (SMDs). This study evaluated the effectiveness of three treatment groups. In addition, sample size estimates for a large scale, multisite RCT were calculated.


METHODS
Twenty-four children with SMD were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions; OT-SI, Activity Protocol, and No Treatment. Pretest and posttest measures of behavior, sensory and adaptive functioning, and physiology were administered.


RESULTS
The OT-SI group, compared to the other two groups, made significant gains on goal attainment scaling and on the Attention subtest and the Cognitive/Social composite of the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised. Compared to the control groups, OT-SI improvement trends on the Short Sensory Profile, Child Behavior Checklist, and electrodermal reactivity were in the hypothesized direction.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that OT-SI may be effective in ameliorating difficulties of children with SMD.
Miller
Lucy Jane
LJ
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, USA. miller@kidfoundation.org
Coll
Joseph R
JR
Schoen
Sarah A
SA
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003120:Colorado; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome