title: Participation in leisure activities and sensory modulation deficiencies of children with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether the complexity of atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms and the sensory modulation deficiencies (SMD) that accompany it may limit child's preference to participate in leisure activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven children diagnosed with AD and 104 healthy peers aged 6-11 years participated in this study. Disease severity was assessed using SCORAD scores. Both groups were compared in regard to their sensory modulation abilities measured by the 'Short Sensory Profile' (SSP) and in regard to their activity preference measured by the 'Preference for Activities of Children' (PAC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with AD showed lower preference to participate in leisure activities as compared with healthy peers (F = 4.63, p < 0.0001). Among children with AD, significant correlations were found between SMD in several modalities and preference to participate in specific leisure activities. No significant correlations were found between AD severity and the child's preferred activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with AD may show lower preference to participate in activities in comparison with their typical peers. This lower preference may be impacted by their SMD. Multidisciplinary intervention may be beneficial for children with AD. This intervention should refer to AD symptoms and considers the child's sensory profile and participation in daily living.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Batya
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Engel-Yeger
authors.forename: Ayelet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shani-Adir
authors.forename: Aharon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kessel
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D057240:Patient Preference; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index