Association between sensory modulation and daily activity function of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and children with typical development

Aviva Mimouni-Bloch; Hagar Offek; Sara Rosenblum; Idit Posener; Zmira Silman; Batya Engel-Yeger

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2018.08.002

Association between sensory modulation and daily activity function of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and children with typical development

Res Dev Disabil. 2018 Dec:83:69-76. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.08.002. Epub 2018 Aug 22.

Authors

Aviva Mimouni-Bloch¹, Hagar Offek², Sara Rosenblum³, Idit Posener⁴, Zmira Silman⁵, Batya Engel-Yeger⁶

Affiliations

¹ The Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Unit, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital, 278 Ahuza Street, Raanana 43100, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, P.O. 39040, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel. Electronic address: Aviva100@bezeqint.net.
² The Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Unit, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital, 278 Ahuza Street, Raanana 43100, Israel; Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences of the Haifa University, Haifa, Israel; The Child Development Center of Clalit Health Services, Sderot Binyamin 21, Netanya 42250, Israel.
³ The Laboratory of Complex Human Activity and Participation, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences of the Haifa University, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel.
⁴ Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, P.O. 39040, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel; The Child Development Center of Clalit Health Services, Sderot Binyamin 21, Netanya 42250, Israel.
⁵ Independent Researcher, Netanya, Israel.
⁶ Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences of the Haifa University, Haifa, Israel.

PMID: 30142575
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.08.002

Abstract

Background: The severity of the functional difficulties of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is heterogeneous and may be affected by measurable factors.

Aims: To characterize subgroups of children with ADHD with or without sensory modulation difficulties (SMD) and the association between sensory modulation and daily activity function in children with ADHD and children with typical development.

Methods: 38 children with ADHD and 39 controls (ages 8-11) were recruited and assessed, using the Conner's Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Short Form, the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) and the Children Activity Scale for Parents (ChAS-P).

Results: The total SSP score of the ADHD group was lower (142.13 vs. 180.08; t=-8.23, p < 0.001) with a higher proportion of SMD (65.8% vs. 2.6%, χ² = 34.46, p < 0.001). The daily function of children with ADHD was lower than controls (mean ChAS-P: 3.95 vs. 4.78, p < 0.001). The difference was significant for children with ADHD and SMD (3.70 versus 4.81, p < 0.001), but not significant for children with ADHD and typical SSP (4.42 versus 4.81, p=0.35).

Conclusion: In this pilot study, we found that SMD, in children with ADHD is correlated with daily activity consequences. Hence, it should be evaluated in children with ADHD and addressed in their treatment plan.

Keywords: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); Child development; Daily activity; Sensory modulation.

MeSH terms

Activities of Daily Living / psychology*
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / diagnosis
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / physiopathology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / psychology
Child
Child Development
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations*
Learning*
Male
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Sensation*
Sensory Thresholds
Severity of Illness Index
Social Skills